Meet Our Champions

From playing soccer and helping on his family’s farm in Iowa to cycles of biopsies, lumbar punctures, and chemotherapy, 7-year-old Ryker’s world was turned upside down when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at Children’s Nebraska. Referred after a week of fevers, strep throat, and pneumonia, Ryker began treatment the very next day. His family feared the worst, but with his close-knit support system and expert care team, he never gave up. “Since day one, our care team has met us where we were and took their time explaining every detail. They’ve become family,” says his mom, Ashley. To cope, Ryker found joy in letters from facility dog Frito and child life specialists, scooter rides, pumper car races, crafts, and even “elevator tours.” After months of holidays spent in the hospital, Ryker celebrated his greatest milestone: his final treatment and a clap out from the oncology team.