Ryan's Story...

Ryan Wesley York was a 14-year-old Lake Zurich, Illinois High School student who succumbed to Neuroblastoma, a rare form of childhood cancer, on February 15, 200l. Ryan was diagnosed with cancer October 20, 1999. During his battle with cancer he set an example of strength and courage for his family, friends and community.

Ryan and his family were not alone during this fight. Ryan was a young adult that had already made an impact on the lives of others long before being diagnosed with cancer.

Ryan was a passionate athlete. He was a team player and team leader that excelled at track, baseball, volleyball and soccer. It was soccer that became his passion. He played soccer from the time he was 4 years old. Due to his family's frequent relocation, he played on travel soccer teams in Michigan, New York and Illinois.

By the age of 9 he had become a highly sought after player. After moving to Lake Zurich, Illinois, he was highly recruited by Chicago area soccer teams. It was important for Ryan to develop friendships with children in the Lake Zurich community, so he joined the Ela Soccer Club.

Ryan spent three years in the Ela Soccer Club program. To fulfill his competitive needs, Ryan then joined the Soccer's Football (soccer) Club an internationally ranked team. He also became involved in the Illinois Olympic Development Program for soccer.

Ryan loved his teachers, coaches, friends and teammates in the Ela, Soccer's and Lake Zurich Middle North athletic programs. Together they shared triumphs, defeats and learned to encourage and support each other.

When Ryan was diagnosed with cancer, his teachers, coaches, friends and teammates did not abandon him. They rallied to support him as Ryan had supported them.

When Ryan's teams were behind with limited hope to win, he would not give up and would not let his team give up. He gave everything he could to help his team win. He would never accept anything less than 110 % effort from himself or others.

Ryan's teacher, coaches, friends, teammates and the entire Lake Zurich community gave 110 % effort to support Ryan and his family during his battle with cancer. They demonstrated their support in many personal and public ways to include two major cancer walkathons and the largest blood drive ever held in the Lake Zurich community.

It's because of this outpouring of support that the York family and friends have created The Ryan York Foundation. The Foundation has been established for the purpose of supporting families affected by cancer and to benefit specific children's organizations.