Support Ryan’s fight against unprecedented deadly disease

I’m writing on behalf of my 38-year-old Son-in-Law Ryan Becker, who is suffering from an unbelievably serious and painful dermatologic condition initially covering over 30% of his skin, now estimated at 60-70%. The lesions also affect mucous membranes, including inside his mouth. Despite extensive diagnostics, admission to ICU at Sacred Heart in Spokane, WA, and examination by a fleet of doctors and specialists, his condition remained a medical mystery.

Ryan was urgently flown to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where he spent nearly three weeks being evaluated by the Head of Dermatology. Despite their efforts, Ryan’s illness remained undiagnosed, prompting an urgent transfer to the National Institutes of Health Center for Unknown and Undiagnosed Illnesses at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Ryan spent another three weeks at Johns Hopkins, where doctors worked extensively to rule out countless potential causes, still without answers.

Since this campaign started, Ryan has developed more than 20 additional lesions, rapidly increasing coverage across his body. After exhaustive workups at Johns Hopkins, Ryan was urgently referred to Dr. Alex Ortega at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR—the world’s leading specialist in Pyoderma Gangrenosum (PG). Most doctors encounter only one or two PG patients throughout their careers, but Dr. Ortega sees nearly 40 per month.

After examining Ryan, Dr. Ortega confirmed it was by far the most rapid and widespread case of PG he had ever seen. Ryan is also the first known patient in the over 90-year history of the disease to present simultaneously with all three subtypes of PG. Ryan will begin an emergency experimental treatment at OHSU next week. Before starting the treatment, Ryan has had to significantly reduce his steroid dosage over two weeks, unfortunately causing additional bullous-type lesions to appear on his arms and hands. Currently, steroids have only been able to temporarily slow the progression.

Beyond this life-threatening illness, Ryan also suffers from severe PTSD due to his previous career as a medic and firefighter, where he experienced profoundly traumatic events.

Neither Ryan nor his wife, Mikkel, can return to work in the foreseeable future. Though they currently have health insurance, maintaining coverage and managing future medical expenses pose significant financial challenges. They continue to face substantial ongoing and future costs including travel, home care, childcare for their infant son Atlas, and possible necessary home modifications.

This family has always been incredibly generous, consistently offering their help, resources, and compassion to others in need. Now, they urgently need our support.

I have stepped in to manage this GoFundMe campaign as Ryan and Mikkel focus on his treatment.

Thank you sincerely for your ongoing support, prayers, and compassion.

Warm regards,

Dr. Marty Becker, DVM.