My name is Ryan Grumish, and I am a senior at SIU studying the biological sciences. Once upon a time, I was faced with a horrible set of circumstances, which influenced my life, and the lives of the ones I loved. I was diagnosed with cancer, a rare type of leukemia that wasn't well documented at the time. I struggled and I fought for my very life, and it changed me. It made me more aware than ever to the fact that people need the support of others to help them through their hardships. They need people to understand, acknowledge and help them fight their circumstances.
There is no greater circumstance than being faced with you own mortality. Cancer is a horrible disease, which threatens the lives of many around us on a daily basis. It is easy to get caught up in our daily lives, and not see those struggling around us. We must be there for our loved ones, and for the people of Southern Illinois. Coach Kill and Southern Illinois Healthcare strive to do that everyday with the Coach Kill Cancer Fund.
It was a former SIU student that made the decision one day several years ago to care about others. He decided to donate his time, and his bone marrow, so that I could one day have a second chance at life. Now it has been over six years, and I have become a proud Saluki. We all must strive to fight for those battling cancer in Southern Illinois, and give them their second chance.
Sincerely,
Ryan M. Grumish
You can get involved by donating to the fund.
You can help score a touchdown for southern Illinoisans who need help coping in their fight against cancer.
Consider making a donation to the Coach Kill Cancer Fund.