Ryan is a 17 year old young man from a rural/small town in Utah called Huntington. Ryan is the son of Timothy and Yolanda Thompson and has 4 older siblings, 3 brothers (Cory, Ben, and Tyler) and 1 sister (Karlee).

From a young age Ryan has been smart and always loved school and has indulged himself in many sports. He had 100% perfect attendance through Elementary School and has been on the honor rolls in Jr. High and High School. He loves all sports and even played fullback, linebacker and Tight End for his Jr. High football team, as well as being one of the captains.

Ryan has earned the Eagle Rank in the scouting program (BSA). Not only has Ryan excelled in the scouting program but has by far earned more merit badges and awards then any of his brothers or father. His merit badge count is over 80. He has also been awarded with 12 palms.
 
In April of 2005, Ryan was diagnosed with Primary Sclerosing Cholengitis (PSC) a rare liver disease, Ryan has also been diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) which is Irritable bowel Disease (IBD) and with Pulmonary Nodules, Which have formed on his lungs and is a side effect of the (UC).

It all began in 2004 when Ryan started having achy joints and not feeling well. He was taken to a local Dr. and was treated for stomach infections for several months. During this period nothing seemed to work and Ryan was not getting better.

One morning Ryan woke up and was having difficulty breathing, He was then taken to the local hospital, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia, with reservations about this diagnoses his mother insisted in having him transferred to Primary Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Salt Lake City, Utah. At PCMC Ryan wasn’t diagnosed with pneumonia but with pulmonary nodules on his lungs, and then with further testing (IBD) and (PSC).  After being diagnosed the doctors at Primary Children’s told Ryan and his family that this diagnosis is very rare they have never seen all three in any one person. The (PSC) and (IBD) are often seen together and the (UC) and Pulmonary Nodules are often seen together, but not all three at the same time.

Since the diagnosis Ryan has been put on numerous medications to help ease his pain and to reduce the symptoms and complications with these diseases. Ryan has been good to take his meds and not complain about doing so.

Ryan is currently under the supervision and watchful eye of Stephen L. Guthery, MD, MSC. at  PCMC, Dr. William Hutson and Dr. Jason J. Schwartz at the University of Utah Medical Center (U of U),.

Ryan has undergone many different tests to keep him healthy. Attached is a letter from Dr. Guthrey concerning most of Ryan’s tests and hospitalizations up to Oct. 2007

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Since Thanksgiving 2007 Ryan has not been able to attend school due to continual liver flare-ups. He has also been at Huntsmans Cancer Institute, University of Utah and Primary Childrens undergoing numerous tests. He has also made a couple trips to (PCMC) to help control his pain.
His last hospitalization was Jan.14-24, during this time he went through more tests and had a drain placed in his liver to drain an area that is believed to be blocked off.
Ryan has also been placed on the Liver Transplant list through PCMC. At this point his parents received a pager and told that they needed to keep this with them at all times and to expect it to go off at anytime.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Not only has this taken a physical and emotional drainage on Ryan and his family but it has also put a strain on them financially. The many doctor visits and all the tests Ryan has undergone, and now a liver transplant.
We, as a family and friends of the family are hoping to find some financial help to help with medical expenses.
We have set up a pay-pal account that donations can go into.

(LINK)