Support Ryan in His Fight Against Brain Cancer

Hi, our names are Ashley & Jessica and we are fundraising on behalf of my family for my brother's medical expenses to stop his tumor growth. Here is the story we have to share.

Meet Ryan - a 24-year-old brother, son, nephew, cousin and friend who is facing the toughest battle of his life. Ryan is more than just a patient, he's a fighter, a talented musician, a student, an athlete, and an inspiration to many. In November 2020 Ryan was diagnosed with stage 2 Astrocytoma, a type of brain cancer. We were devastated, but Ryan was determined to fight. He underwent two intensive surgeries at UCSF Brain Tumor Center in early 2021 and we were overjoyed when Ryan's scans came back clear, and he could focus on healing and getting better.

Ryan slowly got back to his passions, making music (he’s known as Steakfry), skiing, golfing and studying Electrical Engineering at the UNR. He was determined to not let cancer define him. Unfortunately, in February 2022, a routine scan revealed growth in the tumor, and he underwent a third surgery. Despite the successful surgery, Ryan was now diagnosed with Stage 4 Astrocytoma, a much more invasive and aggressive cancer. Ryan began chemotherapy and radiation the next month and ended both treatments by November 2022. That summer, he went to a cancer center in Spain that helped him stay strong through Chemo with a holistic approach to boost his immune system. In those months, Ryan flourished. His hair grew back thicker, he excelled in school like never before, traveled across the country to visit family, and even tried out new activities like mountain biking and martial arts. Ryan described his favorite memory that summer as a 'fever dream' when he was invited to play a live show in New York in front of a group of fans.

Fast forward to today and the reason I am writing this message with the heaviest of hearts. In January 2023, Ryan suffered another grand mal seizure, and scans revealed that the tumor is back and it’s aggressive. Surgery and radiation are no longer an option. Chemo is currently being ordered by his UCSF doctor but that is proven to not be effective in these cases. We need this tumor to shrink. After extensive research, we found a solution. There is a clinic in Houston, TX called the Burzynski Clinic that has succeeded in stopping tumor growth using various therapies. We also have an appointment for MD Anderson, as well any other resource we can find. We will do anything to get Ryan there and help him fight. The chances for tumor shrinkage aren't high, but there's a chance and that’s all we need. Ryan has already incurred a lot of expenses over the last two years and this clinic is not covered by insurance. The donation we are asking for will cover the therapy costs for the clinic, as it's not cheap.

We know these are tough times for everyone, but if you can spare even a small donation, it would mean the world to us. We are not just fighting for Ryan, we are fighting for every person who has ever been touched by cancer. We are fighting for every person who has ever had to watch a loved one suffer. We are fighting for hope and for a future where cancer is no longer a death sentence. We are fighting for Ryan's second chance.

From the bottom of our hearts, we express our endless gratitude for your donation, prayer, or words of kindness.

Love, Gratitude and Good Health To All,

Jessica, Ashley and Ryan’s family <3

Ryan’s Music Steakfry