Thank you for visiting my fundraising page!
My name is Rich Ketchow. I am excited to be running my 3rd Ryan's Run this year. I first became involved because my children are students at Mountain Hill School in which Ryan Kaiser's parents own and run. Their story touched our hearts in more ways than one. We have sympathy and compassion for the loss that they have gone through. Another, and most important reason for running, is for my nephew James. He suffers from a cardiac condition very similar to Ryan's. He will turn 7 years old on June 29, the day before this years race. His mom (my sister-in-law), Jodi Stavola, ran with me last year for her first time. It means so much to her to be a part of this day to honor James. She raise $2000 for the foundation last year, and we hope as a team we can raise more than twice that amount this year! Please read James & Ryan's stories and please donate as little or as much as you can. Every dollar makes a difference!
I also have a personal reason for running. Seven years ago I was diagnosed with a PVNS tumor in my left ankle. I have been through 8 surgeries in the past 6 years to try to completely remove this tumor along with one round of a Methotrexate treatmnet to try to help. Unfortunatley, the tumor is attatched to the artery in my ankle and may never be removed completley. I will have to go through these surgeries every year to remove what tumor grows back so that it does not destroy my ankle joint. Each year it gets harder for me to feel as I good as it did the previous year. This year seems to be the worst. I hope & pray for a cure before this tumor takes over my walking or running abilities. I run to prove to myself that I still can! And hopefully I will always be able to!
Donating through this website is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to support my fundraising efforts.
Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Join our team: We "Heart" James
Thank you!
Rich Ketchow