The Ryan J. Horan Memorial Fund

Live Like Five

Ryan’s Story

Ryan was a force. A happy, charismatic force of positivity that was endless. He felt anything worth doing was worth doing well, and he did. Whether it was work, parenting, basketball, or friendships Ryan gave 150%.

He was not interested in excuses and felt anything was possible. Having grown up with a profound hearing loss he knew a thing or two about having to work harder and he always did. I

n 2019 Ryan suffered a seizure while working and was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Astrocytoma brain tumor. This news was crushing, but Ryan faced it head on and over five years underwent forty plus radiation treatments, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and an experimental trial drug. 

He was taken from us November 27, 2024 just 5 years and 3 months after diagnosis. When he was going through treatment those around him often were asked “how is Ryan REALLY doing today, because if I ask him it is the “greatest day ever””.

Our Mission

Our mission is to raise funds through basketball tournaments and events. The funds raised will be used to provide tuition scholarships at St. John Neumann Catholic School and Lancaster Catholic High School.

Ryan was a great supporter of education and loved supporting the school where he coached his son’s team.

Ryan’s love of basketball

Ryan’s passion for basketball started at an early age. He played in Chicago from the time he was very young and always wore his favorite number, 5.

He wore this number proudly through high school and went on to play for the Gettysburg College Bullets and won the gold medal for the USA Team in the Deaflympics in 2001.

He played in pick up games as an adult, but his favorite spot on the basketball court in his adult years was coaching and playing with his sons. Whether it is 5 or 55 they play every sport representing his number and passion for the sport.

We hope that through basketball tournaments and games we will bring people together in positivity to pass on happiness like Ryan always did. Doing something every day that is positive and making the world a little bit better is the best way to Live Like Five.

Events

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Why Live Like Five ?

Ryan lived his life every day like it was the “greatest day ever”. His positivity knew no bounds and he spread that positivity to everyone around him. His kindness to everyone around him was a hallmark of his personality.

He saw the good in every situation and in every person. He tackled cancer with the same outlook. He knew staying positive in the face of an unimaginable fight would help him, and it did.

Those who love and remember him strive to live that same way every day in his honor. Seeing the good in people and situations and maintaining a positive outlook is how we can live like Ryan and make our world a happier place to be.

News

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