Testimonials

Brenden Monaghan

My name is Brenden Monaghan, I was diagnosed in May 2002 with a brain tumor (medgeloblastoma). Shortly after my diagnosis I under went surgery to remove it. For two and a half years I underwent extreme radiation and chemo, and had numerous other surgeries to maintain my health. Sept. 11, 2004 was my last day of chemo. By the grace of God I have been healthy ever since. Thanks to the support of family, friends, and many others I am alive and well. Now I am currently enjoying my life around the sport of bull riding, and will be attending Sankey's rodeo school to finally achieve my dream of becoming a bullfighter. Proudly I say that I wouldn't be around this great sport with out the support and guidance of Ricky Ritter, Levi Warren, and J. Mark Wilson. Whether it Leukemia, breast cancer, or any other we all know someone who has battled. It brings us together to support and battle behind each other. To this day I dedicate a lot of time giving back what was given to me during my fight to Ride Rank for a Cure.

Brenden Monaghan

Kansas

Chad Stringfellow

My name is Chad Stringfellow and I am from Phoenix, AZ. I am 32 years old and am a 3rd generation rodeo cowboy. I started riding bulls and bareback horses when I was 17. Then at 27 I moved to riding saddle broncs, now I have been team roping for a year or so. I was diagnosed with stage four colon and liver cancer in Oct. of 09'. I am currently going through chemotherapy and am scheduled to have colon surgery in the next month. After that it’s back to chemo to try and shrink the tumors in my liver enough to remove them too. I'm doing my best to deal with all of this but understand we have to play the cards we are dealt. I think prayer is the best answer to any problem. So keep praying for your loved ones, it can only help.

Chad Stringfellow

Arizona

Garrett Henry

Ricky,

I just want to tell you what a great thing you're doing. I recently lost my father to brain cancer. Like you, we loved to rodeo, my father roped and I steer wrestle.

My father fought brain cancer for over two years after he was diagnosed, but in that time we all learned how to never to take him or anything for granted. We cherished the time we were able to spend with him. It is unreal in times of need how your true friends step forward to help. I think that it is so cool, what you are doing for your friend Austin. Trust me it means more to him than you will ever know. Often times people don't understand cancer, and it often feels like your being avoided because they don't want to "catch it". You being beside your friend will help him win this battle, because a good positive attitude is one of the most important things.

When my father passed I promised myself that I will always step up and try to help wherever I can in the battle against cancer. If there is ever anything I can do to help your cause let me know, I would love to be involved in your fight.

God Bless

Garrett Henry

Wyoming

Jesse Britton

I am sending this to you to help me get it out to the Ride Rank for a Cure team. I am requesting a prayer chain for a family I have grown close to over the last 7 years. My favorite high school teacher's wife was diagnosed with cancer a while back and things have gotten worse. Following is the most recent update on the situation at hand.

"Darlene decided not to continue the chemotherapy. The side effects became quite challenging. Low electrolytes (Na, K, Mg) placed her at risk for seizures, stroke, and/or a heart attack. She was experiencing what they called "chemo brain." I sometimes felt she exhibited symptoms of dementia. These low WBC and electrolytes weakened her immune system and the last three treatments left her with cellulitis in her hands and foot (she's an amputee). She also has arthritis in her neck and upper back. I'm guessing that is part of immunodeficiency. Nausea and intestinal problems increased. So much of her 21 days between treatments were spent at the ER, hospital as IP or OP.

Her CTCA doctor informed us that the liver lesion had grown. One has gone from 1 cm back in Sept. to a little over 6 cm according to scans done 2 weeks ago. The lymph nodes in the clavicle area also increased in size. And there are lymph nodes around her thyroid that swollen. The doctor said the cancer was not responding to the chemo and that she only knew of one other option and it involved chemo with a medicine with side effects that likely would be worse than what has been experienced. Dr. Thompson estimated that Darlene has around 6 months (more or less).

We are taking a "break" from doctors right now. She has talked with Dr. Ojeleye's nurse and he made a referral to a Dr. Seoule, an oncologist, in Lawrence. I have done internet searches to see if there is anything else available. I've learned a lot about possible approaches to cancer, but as far as what is available now, doesn't look good for Darlene.

Mentally, sometimes Darlene is accepting. Emotionally, she goes back and forth between resolve and wanting to continue her fight. Physically, the chemo has literally beat her up. I often wonder if it doesn't hurt the body's own immune system so bad that the body couldn't fight back if it wanted.

I am hoping that we have time for Darlene to regain enough strength that we can make a trip to Colorado to see her brother, kids, and grandkids."

As you can see, things have gotten really bad. This is one of the only ways that I can repay him and his family. This means a lot to me.

God Bless

Jesse Britton

Topeka, KS

Lisa Stegall

This is such a wonderful thing you are doing. I live in NC and I have a son that rides bulls. I am a cancer nurse and on Dec 3 I found out that I have breast cancer. It was such a shock to be. I thought I was supposed to be a nurse to a cancer patient..not a cancer patient to a nurse. Cancer affects all ages, and all walks of life. It is a terrible disease and it affects everyone, not just the patient. My son is having such a hard time dealing with this. I am strong and positive because I will beat this. I have been keeping up with Austin through facebook. I am praying for him and will continue to keep all of you in my prayers...Ricky, its people like you that make this bearable...thanks for listening to me.

Lisa Stegall,

North Carolina