UPDATE: 6-4-04 HI, My name is Natalee Benitez. I am Ryan Dionne's cousin. I just want to thank everyone for thier thoughts, love and prayers. I live in California and haven't seen Ryan for almost 15 or so years all though I spoke with him about 2 months ago. It hurts to know what he has gone through but he is in a better place now pain free.We all miss you Ryan and will see you again soon in Heaven. Are Love and prayers go out to all his friends and family. I love you uncle Jimmy, aunt Kathy and cousin Holly. Stay strong and God Bless!! Love always, Natalee Benitez UPDATE: 8-13-03 I have spoken with Ryan's mother by phone. These last few months Ryan has been through so many things that I can't begin to remember them all. I am expecting a more detailed update from them soon. Ryan's cancer spread to his left lung and into his bones. He is facing his 13th and 14th round of chemo. He is very drained physically and emotionally from this illness and He needs you to bombard heaven with your prayers. He and his family have a very positive outlook and they have been blessed by a wonderful church family that is and has been ministering to their needs. Their community has also been just great from what she told me. I would like to thank their church and their community for their great love and support and I praise God for so many who share their Christ like love and compassion with others. I will update you as soon Ryan feels like writing. In the meantime, keep your prayers going. Love and Blessings, Elizabeth UPDATE: 3-04-03 Hi this is Ryan Dionne. I'm sorry I lost contact with you a while back. I wasnt in that great of shape and didn't really feel like getting on and typing an email. But I have been doing good since before Christmas, and I could have emailed you then but I really just forgot all about it until today when my mom mentioned your site. Today is actually my 16th birthday! But I probably should update you on how things are going... tomorrow I will be starting my 7th round of chemo that will go for 3 days, and 3 weeks after that I will get my 8th round, and right from there I will be having 5 weeks of radiation in Cincinatti, and then a Bone Marrow transplant in Columbus. 2 weeks ago today I had surger to take out the rest of the tumor. I don't know if I ever mentioned what type of cancer I had before because I don't think I knew how to spell it at the time. But I have Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is like a muscular type of fast growing tumor. But it's all out of me now which is good! I have lost all my hair now though, but that happened a few days before halloween... I really look good bald, I have had so many compliments on how much of a nice head I have... I think so too :-) I don't know if I ever thanked you or not for the package from Notre Dame... but Thank you again. My doctor actually sent me up to ND for a game in a private leer jet, and had me sent around in a Limo all weekend, and we stayed in the Marriot Hotel. I also got to have lunch with the players, meet the head coach Tyrone Willingham, and have a private photo session with him. Then we got a tour of the campus and the next day my dad and I had front row, 50 yard line seats at the game! The guy that took us around is awesome, we are really close friends now, and his daughter is one of my bestfriends, her name is Elizabeth also. We've gone up since then, just to visit with them at their house. They are great people. But anyways I better get going. But now you can update my page if you would like to so you know that you havent completly lost touch with me. Thanks ! Love, Ryan Dionne UPDATE: 10-28-02 I just got out of the Hosp. saturday and I'm pretty sore and weak. This is because my white bloodcell counts are way down. I have to go back tomorrow to get checked to see where the number of them is. Thank you so much, Ryan ADDED: 10-21-02 CURRENT STATUS: Ryan is 15 years old and has just been diagnosed with cancer. He has tumors in his stomach. Here are his comments about himself: "I love the Marines and plan on being a Marine after High School I love Notre Dame Football, I have gotten tons of ND things since I've been in the hospital Umm I really don't know what else... Oh, I play guitar." Please email him and welcome him to our Children of the Promise Family. You may send him cards and letters to: Ryan Dionne c/o Children of the Promise, Inc. 405 Shady Pine Lane Newcomb, TN 37819 and I will forward them to him. God Bless, Elizabeth