Family isn’t fighting cancer alone

For the young Hess family of Sahuarita, life was good and the future promising until an annoying cough that began in February was determined to be something much more serious.

In June, Ryan Hess, 29, husband and the father of two small children, Hallie, 6, and Max, 2, was diagnosed with a rare and extremely aggressive form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma known as T-cell lymphoma.

After months of intensive and debilitating chemotherapy, Hess was told that his only hope for survival is a bone marrow transplant. A sibling will be the donor, and Hess will go into the hospital on Monday to prepare for the transplant Sept. 23.

The family is facing the news with grace and courage, aided by an outpouring of kindness from the community and the power of prayer. Relatives from out of town take turns staying with the family, and neighbors and friends come armed with meals and offers of childcare, transportation and spare rooms.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which the Hesses belong, is also helping. “As a church, we believe strongly in the power of prayer,” said member Richard Ross. “We have prayed specifically for the benefit of the Hess family.”

According to Margie, if the bone marrow transplant succeeds, Ryan still will be unable to work for several months, and possibly longer.

“At the time of diagnosis, he was finishing up his first year as a podiatry resident at the Veterans’ Administration in Tucson,” she said, adding that he has used up his vacation and sick leave.

“As difficult as it is for our family to ask for help, we have realized that we must do so at this time,” she said.

Time for teamwork

Sahuarita resident Mindy Burns contacted several friends and formed “Team Ryan Hess,” a group of women with strong professional skills and the determination to help. On the team with Burns are Emily Allen, Sarah Allen, Adrianne Barrett, Liz Bennion, Rachel Chaparro, Leslie Fehr, Brooke Hunt, Miranda Jackman and Elizabeth Nielsen.

All are busy moms of small children who are making time to help friends in need.

Burns and Team Ryan Hess have put together a plan for the community to come to the aid of the Hess family. All proceeds will go to the Ryan Hess family.

“We are so grateful to everyone,” Margie said. “So much has been done already, and so many people are doing even more. Mindy and her team have been incredible, and a lot of the help has been anonymous. To everyone, we want to express our gratitude for all the support and prayers.”

Jeannie Applegate is a freelance writer in Sahuarita. Contact her at wordwizard@cox.net

How to help

If you are a federal employee (other than U.S. Postal Service), you can donate paid time off to be used as sick leave for another federal employee. Go to your human resources department and ask to donate paid time off to Ryan Hess with the Veterans’ Administration. Each federal agency has its own form. E-mail or fax the completed form to: Olivia McClure, Benefits Specialist, Tucson Veterans’ Administration, e-mail olivia.mcclure@va.gov, or fax to 629-1849. Her number is 792-1450, Ext. 6076.

If you are a business owner, donate gift cards or coupons for goods or services that can be auctioned at a benefit concert Nov. 7, at Lake Sahuarita. You can also sponsor the benefit auction and concert by helping financially to cover the overhead expenses; or allow Team Ryan Hess to advertise in your business.

Make a direct donation to the Hess family at any Wells Fargo Bank.

For more information about the Ryan Hess family, to make donations, or send messages of support, e-mail teamryanhess@gmail.com; go to teamryanhess.blogspot.com; Facebook: Team Ryan Hess, or e-mail Mindy Burns at mindyburns@gmail.com.