Team Ryan Del

My dad Ryan was diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma 5 years ago. Such a rare cancer affecting only 5 in a million people with very limited treatment. By the grace of God we live near one of the best medical facilities in the United States, Mass General Hospital! Without hesitation he was whisked into their care, one of the only facilities to treat this cancer. My dad fought, and did whatever was asked of him. He lost his sight in one eye, but did not stop working, and focusing on his family and all his grandchildren. Stage 2 (there is only Stage 1A, 1B, and 2) of uveal melanoma has a high chance of metastasizing. 70% focus on the liver. This is a completely different beast, once it clings onto you, be ready to fight.

Treatment is very limited. The FDA just approved treatment a year ago - PHP with immunotherapy. Also known as the Chopin Trial. 3 hospitals in the United States offer this breakthrough treatment, one being Mass General Hospital.

My dad told them to do whatever needs to be done to save his life and he has not looked back once. When uveal melanoma spreads to the liver, it becomes very aggressive. Survival used to be 12 months or less, but with this new treatment survival rates are growing. Research is the key to this. There’s no price on one’s life.

Mets uveal melanoma used to be a death sentence, but now there is hope.

I created this page as I prepare to run the Spartan Race in honor of my dad with close friends and family. Anything that can be donated means the world to my family and I.