SUPPORTING JONATHAN RAGAN

SUPPORTING JONATHAN RAGAN – TIME IS NOT ON HIS SIDE

For those of you who know the Ragan family from Duquesne, Andy’s son Jonathan is fighting for his life with a rare condition called “Bactrim-induced lung disease.” He has been in the pediatric ICU at Strong Memorial/Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, NY for over a month now and his recovery is very much touch-and-go.

The short version is that Jonny was thought to have pneumonia, but had to be taken in for emergency care because of super low oxygen levels. He presented with a collapsed lung and severe pneumonia. All tests for the usual causes proved negative, and finally, a connection was made to very rare cases of extreme lung disease resulting from reactions to the common antibiotic Bactrim, which he was taking for his acne. Jonny appears to be about the 20th recorded case of this reaction, all healthy adolescents, which is now being studied by a group of doctors in Kansas.

Jonny transitioned from high flow oxygen to intubation to intubation with an oscillating ventilator. Unfortunately, those systems did not help his lungs recover. He has since had two significant operations to place him on ECMO, a machine that recirculates his blood to provide oxygen and to remove CO2. He is deeply sedated. The hope is that he will stabilize and his lungs will begin to heal. He could be on ECMO for weeks or months. If this healing does not happen, he may require a lung transplant. To read more and to see daily updates, you can log on to: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jonathanragan

Jonny could be your child. He is a talented student, athlete & musician. He made an impact on his school as a “lifer” at Allendale Columbia School in Rochester since nursery school. Jonny is an undergraduate student at Rochester Institute of Technology and majoring in Film Studies, where his brother Andrew Max, is graduating in film this spring. Jonny’s creativity is limitless.

I have started this GO FUND ME account to ease the burden of Jonny’s parents, Andy & Erica Ragan. Over the past month and the many months ahead, they will need to be at countless doctor appointments, hospital stays and surgeries. As you can imagine, the normal costs of everyday living such as housing, food, gas and car, on top of the medical costs, will be astronomical. This will enable Jonny’s parents to concentrate on getting Jonny well and fighting this rare disease.

From the bottom of my heart, I humbly ask that you share this link with friends and family and, if possible, in donating money (any amount will help). Thank you for keeping Jonny in your prayers and sending him your love!

Kim Wright Mazel, Family Friend