HEMET RALLYING TO MAKE RYAN’S 8TH BIRTHDAY MEMORABLE

Written by Trevor Montgomery
With Riverside County News Source

Ryan, seen here at Loma Linda, has spent much of his life in and out of hospitals.Despite being told many times he might not make it home to each of his last four birthday’s, Ryan’s 8th birthday is later this week, Friday, Aug. 12.

Three years ago when Ryan was turning 5, his wish was to become a police officer. Chief David Brown and the Hemet Police Department were honored to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to make his dream come true.

Ryan Murray is a special little guy who has spent his short life battling debilitating

 illnesses and much of his young life in and out of hospitals.

Officers paid him a surprise visit where Brown swore Ryan in as an honorary Hemet Police Officer. Ryan was presented with a uniform and his own little police vehicle. After he was sworn in, he went out on “patrol” with Sergeant Nate Miller and after his “shift” he met up with family and friends to have pizza.

Ryan Murray started 3rd grade yesterday, Monday, Aug. 8.

Ryan, who started third grade yesterday, is still living with the daily struggles related to his incurable illnesses. However, his family recently reached out for help due to financial difficulties that threaten to leave Ryan without so much as a cake or celebration of any kind this year.

Ryan’s mom, Melissa Hall, recently wrote Riverside County News Source explaining, “I’ve been told four times over the years while Ryan was in the hospital that he may not be going home, so every year for his birthday I feel truly blessed he’s still with me.

Hall, who admitted her family is struggling financially and finds it hard to afford food for her family of 6, said, “I feel horrible that as of right now I have nothing for him for a gift or even to make us a nice meal.” Hall has even tried selling her family’s WII game system just to get enough money to pay for a gift for Ryan this year.

“I’m not one to ask for help and that’s why we’re struggling right now, Hall explained, “but I need to put my pride aside so my son can have SOMETHING for his upcoming birthday on the 12th.”

Ryan meeting with Chief David Brown the day he was sworn in as an honorary police officer.

“Ryan recently saw a story on the news about a boy who got all the cards for his birthday and he thought that was really cool,” Hall wrote in the message. “I was wondering if you know of any groups or people that help with gifts or cards or a place to get a birthday dinner, even if I have to take him by myself without the rest of the family.”

In order to ensure Ryan gets to enjoy a memorable 8th birthday Riverside County News Source has created a gofundme account to help Hall and the rest of Ryan’s family buy him a few gifts. RCNS is also putting the word out to any businesses, organizations, local schools or public service agencies that might be willing and able to help Ryan celebrate another milestone in his young life.

Here at RCNS, we are absolutely positive our community can come together, whether it be in the form of cards or even small gifts. We will have a central collection location set up for any cards, letters or gifts by tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 10 for anyone wanting to help make Ryan’s day special.

Also, if there are any local businesses willing to help out, we know the family and Ryan would truly appreciate any help making this year’s birthday memorable and special for him.

If you represent a business willing to help, an RCNS representative can be contacted here.

Contact the writer: trevor.rcns@gmail.com