Ethan Rippy & Family

On September 27, 2022 life turned upside-down for an exceptional 14 year-old young man, Ethan Rippy. Ethan is one of those teenagers whom you love to interact with. He is bright in personality, quick in intellect, and deep in faith. He loves music, worship, friends, and family. In short, Ethan is a joy!

He was at Bible study at his church when it happened; his left side went numb. A visit to the hospital uncovered a hard diagnosis. On his right side, in an eloquent, life-essential part of his brain, is an arteriovenous malformation known as an AVM. This abnormal connection between arteries and veins is large in size and still growing, stealing essential blood-flow from his brain.

After being released from the hospital the first time, Ethan had another episode—a seizure that included numbness, loss of sensation, and tingling on his left side for 20 minutes. These episodes happen when Ethan’s brain is in need—either dehydrated or fatigued as the AVM robs that area of Ethan’s brain of its needed supply.

Following another stay in the hospital, doctors called for surgery. The AVM needed to go! But after days of waiting, Ethan was denied for surgery by three of the top neurosurgeons in the country. They said his case is just too dangerous. Essentially, Ethan’s AVM is at risk of rupture at any time–a rupture that will be fatal—and no surgeon is willing to touch it at this point.

After prayers poured in for Ethan over the past few weeks, God opened a door. To put it best, God parted a sea. Through a series of beautiful miracles, the Rippy family was put in touch directly with the head radio-surgeon at UPMC, the leading hospital in our nation for Gamma Knife radiation. Because of their cutting-edge technology and research, they are able to offer Ethan a treatment plan with a 75% success rate! This will require at least two trips to Pennsylvania for outpatient radio-surgery. To add blessing to blessings, their first trip for treatment will be on November 8th! Ethan has a treatment plan-one that will begin soon!

So here’s how we can help.

First, Ethan and his family desire to go on their way to Pennsylvania for treatment to Washington DC before his treatments and his likelihood for injury continues to increase. Traveling there on the auto train, they will enjoy the capital city and its historic sites, particularly the Smithsonian, a place they’ve always wanted to experience together. After that, they will drive to Pennsylvania for his first treatment, then back home again by auto train. Let’s make this trip happen for them! With travel, lodging, food and fun, we’d love to raise $10,000 to make sure money is no object while they enjoy their grand adventure! 

 Second, we would love to cover their current and coming medical costs, which will include their annual insurance deductible of $5,500 and their second trip (and possibly a third trip) to Pennsylvania for further treatments. Let’s help relieve this burden, allowing them to focus on what truly matters during the days ahead.

Give what God calls you to give! Give generously and with a cheerful heart, knowing that your offering will bring glory to God and encouragement to a beautiful family going through an indescribable trial.

Most of all, pray! Even if you can’t give a dollar, please pray God would carry Ethan and his family through the days ahead. Pray that God will heal and deliver precious Ethan! And pray that the name of God would be glorified through his story! To all who support Ethan, we truly and deeply thank you!

Many blessings!