TUSCOLA — Costuming has been a significant a part of Ryan Summer time’s life for so long as his spouse, Amy, has identified him.
The Central Excessive alumni, who turns 47 subsequent week, has been with the 501st Midwest Garrison, a Star Wars costuming group, for about 20 years, she mentioned. Ryan additionally based his personal superhero costuming group, “Secret Id”, in Champaign, mentioned father Dave Summers.
It’s not all enjoyable and dress-up, both.
“He’s finished plenty of group occasions in each Champaign and the Peoria space and all through Illinois … for most cancers sufferers, for kids which have psychological disabilities, from something you may presumably consider,” Amy mentioned.
Later this month, a few of Ryan’s costumed compatriots will return the favor to assist their pal in his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
The Summers household has organized an evening of enjoyable to assist elevate funds for Ryan and Amy. The occasion, “Rally for Ryan,” might be held on the Tuscola Moose Lodge, 807 E. Southline Highway, on July 27.
The lineup consists of stay music by the Bement Nation Opry Band and Whiskey River, meals, raffle prizes from a wide range of native companies, a silent public sale, a 50/50 drawing and photograph ops with costumers, together with the 501st Midwest Garrison and Secret Id.
“We’re trying ahead to an incredible day,” Dave mentioned. There is no such thing as a price for admission.
Ryan’s sister, Sarah Summers, has additionally arrange a GoFundMe marketing campaign to assist with medical payments and dwelling bills.
As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had raised about $12,800.
In discussing the origins of her husband’s prognosis, Amy mentioned Ryan began having “vertigo points” final summer season.
Then, in March of 2024, he turned very sick and had a foul cough.
“Look, it appears like you could have pneumonia or one thing,” Amy recollects telling her husband.
One journey to the ER later, Amy was confirmed proper. Nevertheless, the medical doctors additionally observed one thing else: Ryan had an “extraordinarily low” white blood cell depend.
Leukemia was recognized as the reason for this, and after being despatched to Chicago, he realized that it was particularly AML.
Sarah wrote on the GoFundMe marketing campaign description that that is “a uncommon however aggressive kind of blood most cancers.”
“It was very robust on him initially, as a result of they took him from Carle Hospital, by ambulance, to the College of Chicago hospital, and he spent 4 weeks there, doing three or 4 totally different chemo therapies,” Dave mentioned.
“And he was simply very weak by way of the entire thing.”
Amy mentioned her husband’s present remedy regiment goes effectively, and he’s doing his finest to eat and transfer round as he’s ready.
“He’s nonetheless not wherever near the place he was earlier than,” she mentioned.
Nonetheless, “with some luck,” Ryan could possibly make an look on the July 27 rally, although he’ll possible not be capable of keep for the whole occasion.
Dave mentioned that Ryan misplaced a complete 72 kilos throughout his sickness however has began to place some weight again on and is getting stronger.
“We’re seeing a lightweight on the finish of the tunnel,” he mentioned.
Ryan began one other spherical of chemotherapy final week, Dave mentioned.
He added that the long-term plan is for Ryan to return to Chicago for a stem cell transplant, as soon as he’s wholesome sufficient.
“He has to satisfy sure objectives from the transplant workforce that they simply gave us really on Sunday,” Amy mentioned.
“After which as soon as he reaches these objectives that they wish to have, then he can return as much as get the transplant organized.”
The couple should keep in Chicago for a month of inpatient remedy and three months of outpatient remedy following the process.
Amy mentioned that the toughest a part of the four-month course of, for Ryan, might be being away from their youngsters.
When requested how the household was feeling, she replied, “Scared. Very scared.”
She continued, “All of them simply need their father again, to be again to regular.”
Nonetheless, she mentioned that the household will keep sturdy and “rally behind him as finest we are able to.”
The Summers have additionally discovered consolation locally’s assist throughout this time.
“The GoFundMe has been a really massive success,” Dave mentioned. “It’s actually opened your eyes to what number of associates are on the market.”
He additionally mentioned that the group has additionally helped out by donating raffle prizes for the rally.
Amy likewise mentioned that there’s been an outpouring of “understanding and compassion.”
“I’ve at all times identified that he’s had a coronary heart of gold from the second that I met him, and it’s a gorgeous factor to see that I’m not the one one which thinks so,” she mentioned.
