Our Mate, Liam Ryan

An Update on Liam’s Journey 19.12.2024

Dear friends, family, and compassionate supporters,

We are deeply touched by the incredible love and generosity you’ve shown since we first shared Liam’s story. Your kindness has been a beacon of hope during this challenging time, reminding us all of the power of community and compassion.

A Remarkable Step Forward

We are overjoyed to share some uplifting news: thanks to the amazing support and connections within our network, Liam has found a doctor here in Brisbane, Australia, that is willing to administer the specialised treatment recommended by Dr. Michael Castro. This is an incredible blessing, especially at this time of year. Being able to stay close to home—surrounded by family, friends, and the comforts of familiarity—provides a sense of peace and strength that no words can fully capture.

The Treatment Plan

Liam’s fight against this aggressive cancer will involve a combination of specialised medicines, including:

Pemetrexed

Dabrafenib

Trametinib

among many others..

The treatment is tailored to target the specific mutations in Liam’s tumor, it will be administered every three weeks. Each dose costs an extraordinary $21,530, and the initial treatment plan will span six months. While the financial burden is immense, we remain hopeful that with your continued support, Liam can access and continue to access the care that he needs.

How You Can Help

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will directly support the out-of-pocket costs for Liam’s private treatment in Brisbane. This includes the medications, medical care, and the vital resources needed to give him the best possible chance at overcoming this battle.

Every act of kindness—whether it’s a donation, sharing Liam’s story, or sending words of encouragement—makes a profound difference. Together, we are giving Liam not just the means to fight but also the courage to keep bloody going.

A Message from Liam

Liam continues to inspire us all with his unshakable positivity and strength. In his own words: “The chance to stay close to home while receiving this treatment means everything to me. I can’t thank you all enough for making this possible"

From the depths of our hearts, thank you for standing with Liam. Your compassion and generosity is everything.

Family and Friends of Liam

__________________________________________________

Dear friends, family, and compassionate strangers.

Our dear mate, Liam Ryan, is currently navigating the hardest challenge of life and we are reaching out to share his story and his battle to overcome brain cancer.

For those fortunate enough to have Liam in their life, they would know of Liam’s ability to make you laugh until your belly hurts and how his bright happy energy fills any room that he is in. Liam’s cheeky grin and love for all things fun make him the ultimate magnet for a great time.

Liam is the quintessential Aussie larrikin, with an adventurous spirit and a love for the great outdoors. His continued positivity and uplifting attitude about life, especially when the chips are down, is something which most people strive to achieve, however, for our mate Liam this comes so naturally. Liam is someone you gravitate toward in any scenario because you're guaranteed to feel relaxed and happy in his presence.

He is a true member of the community and would give the shirt off his back if anyone ever asked, his compassion and care for those around him is admirable.

Liam is always first to provide support for others whenever they need it, Aussie mateship is in his DNA, now it’s time when that support is needed to be sent his way.

In August 2024, Liam was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer known as Epitheliod Glioblastoma (eGBM). The prognosis is daunting but despite this, Liam is determined to explore every possible avenue for treatment that may improve his chances of beating this disease.

**Liam’s Journey**

It all started with persistent headaches and dizzy spells, leading him to seek medical attention. After undergoing MRI and CT scans, Liam was faced with the shocking news of a space-occupying lesion in his brain. On September 3, 2024, Liam underwent surgery to remove the tumor, and just three days later, he learned it was cancerous.

Following the surgery, Liam began a standard treatment regimen in Brisbane , which included radiotherapy and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ). However, as the treatment progressed, Liam sought alternative options that could provide a better chance of success. This led him to Dr. Michael Castro, a specialist in GBM treatment based in Los Angeles.

Dr. Castro's evaluation of Liam’s histopathology report revealed that his tumor was particularly aggressive and had a poor prognosis. He advised against continuing with TMZ, as it has proven ineffective for his specific type of tumor. Instead, he recommended a different chemotherapy drug called pemetrexed, which targets mutations in this type of tumor and offers a better chance for treatment and prognosis.

**The Challenge Ahead**

Dr. Castro has offered to treat Liam in his clinic in Los Angeles, but the prospect of traveling across the world alone for treatment is incredibly daunting. Liam searched for an Australian doctor, in hope he would find someone willing to collaborate with Dr. Castro and administer the recommended treatment protocol locally here in Australia, unfortunately Liam has been left with no other option but to travel to LA.

The urgency of Liam’s situation cannot be overstated; Liam cannot afford to waste time on therapies that have already been proven ineffective.

Liam needs this chance at treatment NOW.

Liam's treatment needs to start in the first week of January, 2025.

**How You Can Help**

We are asking for support to help cover the costs associated with this treatment journey, including the travel expenses, accommodation, medical consultations, and the necessary drugs to be administered.

Your generosity will not only aid Liam in pursuing this vital treatment but also provide hope and strength during this challenging time together with his family and friends that care so deeply for him.

Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant impact on Liam’s fight against this cancer. If you're unable to contribute financially, please share this story with your network to help spread awareness and bring more support Liam's way.

Thank you for taking the time to read here.

We are filled with hope that with the right support and treatment, Liam can overcome the battle ahead.

Your kindness and generosity will make a world of difference.

With deepest gratitude,

Family and Friends of Liam