Donate to Ryan's Journey of Resilience

This is Ryan, and she has never given up.

On New Year's Eve, my friend Ryan went to the emergency room with intense abdominal pain. Little did she know, her world was about to turn upside down. The doctor delivered shocking news: they had found an 8cm tumor. Several tests later it was confirmed — Ryan had colon cancer that required immediate surgery, and later, chemotherapy.

Sadly, this isn't her first rodeo. As a young child, she faced an aggressive form of leukemia, that carried less than a 5% survival rate. After years of relentless treatment and countless what-ifs, she emerged victorious, banishing the disease from her life.

Ryan has an indomitable spirit. She's worked her way past any and every challenge she's faced. When people said "no, you can't do it," she would say, "watch me."

She felt deeply compelled to use her experiences and struggles to help others, and find meaning in her adversity. Her determination led her to complete a Bachelor and Master's degree in Social Work to become a therapist. She then went on to work with Special Operations forces for over a decade as an embedded therapist and consultant. Her approach to therapy — being warm, down to earth, and funny — was a perfect fit in the tough special ops units she worked with. It allowed her to connect and help her patients change, grow, and heal.

Then last year, Ryan achieved her lifelong dream of opening her own practice. However, this dream came with its own set of challenges, including unreliable healthcare coverage.

Now, as she prepares to begin chemotherapy this month, she faces yet another obstacle — mounting medical bills and the basic cost of living while in recovery, without the ability to work full time. So far 2025 has consisted of endless tests, scans, doctors appointments, and fighting with insurance just to cover the necessary treatments. Not at all the year she was hoping for.

I'm asking you to help Ryan. Her tenacity is inspiring, and to know her is to love her. I love my friend dearly.

Thank you for anything you can give. It is all greatly appreciated!