Help Ron Fight Stage IV Cancer

In January 2023, my dad was diagnosed with Stage IV Head and Neck Cancer. After months of chemoradiation, therapy, nights in the hospital, and countless other painful hurdles, the medical expenses have become suffocating. I am reaching out to our community to ask for help as my dad continues in this fight for his life.

I am Ron's daughter, Ali Skayhan. Most of you know me as the volleyball coach/former player that my dad has proudly told stories about over the years. I would like to briefly share with you his story…

During COVID, my dad and his lovely wife Sharon, moved from California to South Carolina - where we all currently live. After a 30-year-long career as a PGA golf professional, he and Sharon moved east to start a new chapter of life. Specifically, with my family and my brother, Jake, just up the coast in Virginia. Now known as Papi and Nani in our house, they have spent the last year as grandparents to my daughter, Lyra. A quick 2-hour drive away from us, we have all spent cherished quality time together that has brought harmony and rejuvenation to all of us. Jake and I have absolutely adored having them closer to our lives. After a few blissful months of baby time, volleyball games, family trips, and even back to giving golf lessons, this cancer diagnosis brought their retirement paradise to a terrifying halt.

From February – May, he endured 5 days a week of radiation and once-a-week chemotherapy. The severity of the treatment has caused the loss of function in his esophagus resulting in the use of a constant feeding tube. With every new side-effect, there is an additional cost. From his medicine, nutrient/food administration, weight loss, and physical pain, his ailments and discomfort became too much for Sharon to facilitate alone. She has managed to be almost his sole provider and our family's rock of hope and grace through this process. As the intensity grew for both, it was decided that some health care, occupational, and speech therapy should be administered at their home. His oncologist is hopeful that his body will respond to the treatment, but we are all praying for clear scans this month.

Those of you who know my dad well can imagine the severity of their situation knowing his aversion to social media and public vulnerability. He will forgive me for this :) Thank you to all of you for being a part of our community and for taking the time to read his story.

On behalf of myself, Jake, Sharon, and her son Steffin, we appreciate your continued support of our family as he continues this journey.