My Activity Tracking
85
kms
My target 80 kms
I’m raising money towards a brighter future for people living with neuroendocrine cancer and Von Hippel Lindau Syndrome
I have been diagnosed with rare genetic disease called VHL. I was genetically tested at the age of 12 months. Throughout my early childhood, I have had routine eye checks, urine collections and CT scans. Unfortunately, at the age of 11, an MRI revealed I had multiple tumours along my spine and two years later at the age of 13 I had begun to experience symptoms. My right leg was swinging out as I walked, necessitating the use of a crutch. A date was set for surgery and while I waited, I was in severe pain, sleeping on a pure foam mattress with my mother in front of the tv, getting a few hours of sleep at a time and unable to go to school.
I ended up being hospitalised in Tamworth hospital, to which I was flown to Brisbane just prior to the surgery date that was scheduled. During surgery, I started to bleed out. Luckily, I made it through with the help of a second neurosurgeon, but when I woke up, I was paralysed on my entire right side. Through rehab, I was able to regain function.
A year later my symptoms returned in my right leg and more tumours were found along my spine so I once again underwent surgery to remove these. More rehab was required to regain function in my leg and I worked my way back to playing sports, which I loved.
After a “good seven-year break”, where I had both eyes lasered to remove tumours, my left hand went numb and I underwent my third spinal surgery. This affected my right side again and meant I had to wear a dictus band.
My application for support from the NDIS was refused a total of three times before eventually being accepted, and in that time I was unable to get the physio I needed, never regaining my ability to run.
With limited funding, I was finally able to get access to a physio and an ankle foot orthosis (AFO).
The following year, after losing function my left arm, I had a fourth surgery to remove tumours along my spine which took out pretty much both my legs. The removal of 3 tumours during a fifth spinal surgery 7 months later cause significant bleeding during the operation and the impact of this surgery has been significant and long lasting. Function in both of my legs was affected and I now wear an AFO on both legs. My fine motor skills, dexterity and balance were affected, and I am in constant pain, still using a crutch. I currently have cysts and tumours in my pancreas and cysts in my kidneys which are being monitored. I have received a higher NDIS package to support his day to day living and home maintenance.
I attend the physio three times a week which has improved my strength, but I am still unable to feel my hands fully. I undertake yearly MRI, kidney MRI, blood test and eye test. I travel interstate for my specialists, except for my ophthalmologist, and for my surgeries where I recover before being able to drive back home. Although my treatment has been through the public system, I have felt the financial impact of being out of work on numerous occasions, along with travelling to hospital. Unfortunately I had to leave my electrical apprenticeship and I still struggle with insomnia and the mental health burden of living with VHL.
Throughout my five major surgeries and recovery from these surgeries I have spent twelve weeks in hospital as a child and missed up to nine weeks at a time off work, using sick leave, sickness allowance and for the previous three years, my disability pension. I have previously lost my employment due to this time off and has just recently lost a second job which I felt was a direct result of the challenges VHL has left me with. I worry for the future and how I will financially support myself with the disability the surgeries have caused.
I want to work and contribute to society, hating the feeling of being a burden on the system or taking more than I need. I hope that I can continue to be there for godchildren and my nephew by accessing a treatment that can slow or prevent the growth of my tumours, preventing the need for more surgeries which have so far, had such a significant impact on my life.
I am currently advocating for Belzutifan to be included under the PBS, with the assistance of NeuroEndocrine Australia and MSD.
My Achievements
Has Fundraising page
Increased fundraising goal
Uploaded profile picture
Added a Blog Post
Received 5 Donations
Reached Fundraising Target
Thank you to my Sponsors
$520
Anonymous
$520
Andrew Weber
$500
Will Connell
$500
Isobel Knight
With all our love Ryan O’Brien xxx
$263.75
Greg And Wendy Quigley
Happy to donate Ryan. All the best going forward. X
$251
Robert Chandler
$240
Nick Reid
Good luck bro
$158.25
Ruzchella Javaluyas
$143.48
Andrew Michell
$105.50
Golnoosh Amri
$105.50
Amanda
Bless you bro
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Barry Bailey
All the best mate with your achievement great work 👍
$105.50
Home Of Strength
$105.50
Ray Howard
$105.50
Sandy
$105
Kylie
You’re a beautiful positive guy. Keep smiling 😊
$101
Myrtle Tilse
Ryan I love you heaps and I am pleased to donate to this course. xxx Grandma
$100
Tania Jones
You are a superstar Ryano 💫 . Thinking of you and so glad we can donate to this cause. Love you long time. The Jones clan xxx
$100
Min Mcdonald
All the best Ryan x
$100
Bronny (mum 2)
Love ya guts …..super proud of your fighting spirit
$52.75
Mumma Cath 😊
You got this buddy get knocked down. Get back up as you have before and will as many times as you need to. You Are Inspirational 🙌🤛🙌
$52.75
Judy Moulynox
Ryan you are an inspiration to many. Keeping fighting the fight. Proud of you xx
$52.75
Cody Delbouc
$52.75
Amy Dyer
All the best with your fundraising Ryan!
$52.75
Lana Hallowes
Let's get this one the PBS!
$52.75
Kate Connell
Love and positivity to you, Ryan xxx
$52.75
Chris Counsel
A great cause! Thanks for all your hard work fighting for all the VHL and Neuroendocrine sufferers. It is much appreciated! Legend!
$52.75
Steven & Peyton Harding
$52.25
Katrina Telfer
You really are an inspiration Ryan. Happy to donate to this cause for you. Keep up the fight!
$51
Valma Weber
Proud of you Ryan. Love you Nanna
$50
Gioia Leehy
We love you! From Leaf and G xx
$40
Josephine
$40
Will Page
$40
Anonymous
$26.38
Raelee Balderston
$26.38
Breannah Daniel
$26
Amy Clift
Get it Mullet man osss osss 💪🏾
$25
Ryan Harding
$25
Ryan, you are an inspiration to be celebrated. Best wishes.