Ryan Wood Cancer Treatment Fund

Hello, I'm Ryan and in March 2023 I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma or Bile Duct Cancer. My specific type is Stage 3b and only 3,000 people are diagnosed every year (the average age tends to be 70 and I have yet to find stats for people diagnosed before age 40). 

It's been a long rollercoaster of surgery and multiple infections which has sent me back to the hospital numerous times in the last 5 1/2 months. I have pretty decent insurance, yet I'm still accumulating thousands of dollars in medical debt due to the hospitalizations and many trips to Upstate Cancer Center for follow-ups, labs, genetic testing, etc...

Currently I have had to delay continuing chemotherapy treatments due to a tendency to get bacterial infections from my biliary drain. These usually first appear as a fever accompanied by chills. For perspective, this has delayed my chemotherapy over 3 months now until my doctors can get things under control. 

The surgery was very successful in removing the tumor that had spread into my liver, 2 lymph nodes and bile ducts. However some microscopic cancer cells remained in some of my bile ducts as the ducts were too small to remove or resect. Hence the need for chemotherapy and radiation treatments to make sure everything will be gone. Unfortunately, the longer these delays go on the more at risk I am for relapsing.

Any help you are willing to provide is greatly appreciated. Your donations will go towards my medical costs and help cover my monthly bills and rent. A heartfelt thank you from me and my family!

A little about me. I love art, animals, music and sports. I’ve been working at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, NY for almost 8 years as a graphic designer. I’m close to being able to return back to work part-time and miss it terribly. Check out everything we have going on here: https://rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

In addition, I have my own art studio where I create digital illustrations, digital and traditional paintings, apparel, stickers, magnets and coasters, among other things. Here’s my website to see what I get up to: https://www.ryanwood.pro

Onward!