By Vanessa Chircop
HE’S Graham and Marie’s young son, he’s Ben’s kid brother and he’s the love of Natalie Campbell’s life.
His name is Ryan Morgan and he needs your help.
An active member of the Hobsons Bay community, Ryan, 24, has been a member of the Williamstown Surf Life Saving Club since he was 14, a patrol captain for four years and employee of the Bayfit Leisure Centre in Altona North.
While most young couples are busy spending their 20s in a carefree love bubble, Ryan and Natalie have spent the majority of their relationship fighting cancer.
In 2008 after completing his Bachelor of Arts: Multimedia, Natalie found a lump on her boyfriend’s neck.
The lump on his saliva gland was diagnosed as cancer and removed by surgery and radiotherapy.
Unfortunately, the lump was not thought to be melanoma so no further checks were made.
But 18 months later Ryan felt pain in his abdomen and a scan revealed a mass in his pancreas which was diagnosed as stage four melanoma.
Further scans found the cancer in his bowel, femur, and chest wall – but not a single spot or dot of melanoma was found on his skin.
Upon hearing the diagnosis, instead of being worried about himself, Ryan was more worried about the stress and pain he would cause his loved ones.
“The last thing I wanted was for them to see me broken,” he said.
“I kind of just said ‘shit happens hey, so what do we do now?’”
Natalie said despite everything, Ryan still maintains a positive attitude.
“The thing with Ryan is, he doesn’t feel sorry for himself,” the Oak Park resident said.
“Yes, he’s emotional – but he’s always: “I’m going to fight this”.
“His attitude is amazing towards it.”
In August last year, Ryan’s cancer mutated and the drug he was taking (Beta RAF) was no longer working.
The cancer started growing and this time spread to his brain.
But Ryan was determined to keep fighting.
At present Ryan and his family are desperately fighting his disease in China but treatment doesn’t come cheap – with the Morgan’s already spending more than $100,000 on their boy.
A fundraiser was held for Ryan over the weekend, organised by family friend Simone Backendorf, and a website has been set up to receive donations for his treatment.
Ryan’s dad Graham said he will never give up on his courageous son.
“Please help save Ryan. This world needs its Ryan,” he said.
If you would like to make a donation to Ryan’s cause then visit www.mycause.com.au and type ‘The Ryan Morgan Ranga Foundation’ in the search bar.
