By NOELLE PHILLIPS - nophillips@thestate.com
For most of his life, Richland County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Ryan has served his community.
He has been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. He has raised money for the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Easter Seals and Muscular Dystrophy Association. He has helped families recover from fires that destroyed their homes.
Now, it’s time for Ryan to be on the receiving end of the help, as he battles advanced lung cancer.
“It makes me feel good to do that kind of stuff,” Ryan said. “Being a recipient is difficult.”
To help Ryan with his medical bills, fellow deputies have organized Ryan’s Ride: A Dam Ride for Cancer on June 4 at Lake Murray.
They also are wearing black and red bracelets to show support for him and his three daughters, ages 14-20.
Ryan has been a deputy with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for three years but is on short-term disability. He has health insurance, but the bills still pile up.
Sheriff Leon Lott said he hired Ryan because he knew a man with devotion to single-handedly raise three girls would make a good deputy.
“His heart is in the right place with what he wanted to do,” Lott said.
Monday, Ryan and his daughters agreed to talk with reporters, a tearful interview for the girls as they watched their father talk about his disease, his love for them and his fellow Richland County deputies.
“It’s been very emotional for me,” Ryan said. “I’m proud to be a part of this organization, and I’m honored they’re helping me like this.”
If you go -
Ryan’s Ride: A Dam Ride for Cancer will be June 4 around Lake Murray.
The first vehicle will leave at 11 a.m. from Ray’s Place on Dutch Fork Road in Ballentine. The ride ends at 5 p.m. at the same location with a barbecue and silent auction. Motorcycles, convertibles and other automobiles are welcome to participate.
Registration is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt.
For more information or a registration form, email ryansryde@gmail.com.
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