Rally for Ryan: New Heart for a Future Nurse

***UPDATE***

Our Las Vegas community has come together yet again to support one of their own. A big thank you to all who have donated and shared Ryan's story, including his family's community back in New Hampshire. To his stellar care team, we think about you daily and how grateful we all are, especially the amazing nurses we as new grad student nurses strive to be like.

Friends, family, and compassionate supporters,

Just one week after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, we are now facing a medical emergency that no one could have ever imagined. At only 22 years old, our friend, classmate, and future colleague is fighting for his life in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit here in Las Vegas, NV. Following complications from a COVID-19 infection and what was initially thought to be a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Infection, Ryan suffered a viral heart infection caused by the coronavirus. Without health insurance, Ryan is now in a dire situation and requires immediate financial assistance for a new heart.

About Ryan:

Ryan N. Zwick, a resilient 22-year-old nursing school graduate, is currently facing a critical health condition that requires urgent attention—a new heart. Ryan's dream is to be a nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit where he will change the lives of countless young patients and their families. If you've only met Ryan for a short amount of time, you know that he is a natural caregiver who was born to be a nurse. Despite being a generally quiet person, his intelligence and sense of humor are made apparent the moment you speak to him.

About Ryan's Family:

Ryan Zwick hails from a family that has endured multiple losses in recent years, including his father, uncle, aunt, sister, and grandfather. In addition to being a full-time student nurse at Nevada State University, Ryan took on the role of caretaker for his older brother after the passing of their father. On top of shouldering the burden of medical expenses, he is the primary source of income for his household, supporting his brother Warren. Ryan's sweet girlfriend, Emmy, has also been by his side the entire time.

Creating a GoFundMe:

Unfortunately, this medical emergency comes to us all as a complete shock. The need for a heart transplant and the associated medical costs are daunting. We are reaching out to our community, near and far, to rally together and support Ryan on this challenging, evolving path.

To give an idea of some of the expenses, Ryan was on life support to help his heart and lungs rest. To be exact, he had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, also known as ECMO.

"ECMO is a form of life support for people with life-threatening illness or injury that affects the function of their heart or lungs. ECMO keeps blood moving through the body and keeps blood gasses (oxygen and carbon dioxide) in balance." The cost for this alone averages at $200,000.

Thank you all for your support during this devastating time.

We are all rooting for you, Ryan, and we will now try to care for you the way you have already cared for so many.

Condition Updates

Update 12/22 Morning - Urgent Development: Ryan's need for a heart transplant is critical. Unfortunately, the impala device did not yield the expected results. A high-risk procedure is currently underway to sustain him temporarily while we formulate a definitive plan. Your blessings and support are crucial during this pivotal moment.

Update 12/22 Afternoon - Surgical Intervention: Ryan is currently undergoing surgery, where a pump is being utilized to facilitate the heart transplant. Shockingly, clots have revealed that COVID-19 is the underlying cause. We earnestly request your prayers for his recovery and for the steady hands and focused minds of the surgeons.

Update 12/23 - Successful Surgery: Ryan has successfully undergone surgery to insert the ECMO pump, providing him with valuable time. His resilient spirit is that of a warrior, bravely battling against the destructive effects of COVID-19. We are now seeking Medicaid approval for his transfer to a hospital with specialized care.

Update 12/24 - Positive Development: Encouraging news! Ryan's condition has stabilized, with improved lactic acid levels. He is undergoing heart scans, and the results are promising. Your continued support during this hopeful phase is deeply appreciated.

Update 12/26 - Improved Heart Activity: As of last night, there has been a 15% improvement in Ryan's heart activity. Time is of the essence, with just a week and three days remaining before the efficacy of the ECMO machine diminishes. Your ongoing support has the potential to make a life-changing impact.

#RyanZwick #RyanHeart #FutureNurse #MedicalCrowdfunding #RallyforRyan