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Ryan suffered with heart disease most of his life, in 2005 just weeks after his youngest son was born he suffered a stroke. He was implanted with a defibrillator in hopes of prolonging his life. In June 2010, he was told that his kidneys and liver were failing a telltale sign that his heart was struggling. He was referred to Sutter Transplant Clinic where he would be told that he needed a transplant. Before his transplant Ryan was implanted with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), this would buy him the time he needed to heal as he waited for a heart. Ryan develpoed a  rare and deadly blood infection, that would possibly start attacking his devices. He was immediately placed at the top of the list. Two weeks later he would receive the call that would change his life, they had a heart! His donated heart was trnsplanted on his wedding anniversary, February 23, 2011. He was given a second chance at life, a chance to be a "normal" father. He was well enough to go home on his birthday, March 8, 2011.

Ryan was a community leader who continued to volunteer his time even when he was his sickest. His children gave him the strength to fight. But, while he continues to help raise funds for the American Heart Assiciation his family struggles to pay the unsurrmounting medical bills. They need your help. His is a truly inspiring story.