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Community Corner

Heitz of Heaven 5K Run/Walk

The Heitz 61 Memorial Foundation was created through the eyes of Ryan and will help others within the community by promoting higher education and encouraging the physical well-being and teamwork of young people involved in sports. The Foundation distributes scholarships and grants to young people in the community through educational and sports programs. Through your support and care it is our hope to keep Ryan’s spirit alive forever by providing assistance to others that have a desire to be exceptional. This is what Ryan would have wished for.

Ryan V. Heitzenrater was a healthy and very active thirteen year old who was involved in many sports and recreation activities. He was a dedicated gym member and strived to have strength physically and mentally. In January 2013 Ryan became very ill with an unidentified viral infection and was admitted to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh where he spent the final 46 days of his life. The initial viral infection he had resulted in his immune system overreacting, leading to a diagnosis of Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). After receiving several different treatments for HLH, his body continued fighting and was actually winning the battle against this potentially fatal diagnosis. With a suppressed immune system, Ryan was a high risk candidate for picking up secondary infections. Four days before Ryan passed away one of his blood cultures tested positive for a secondary bacterial infection that had entered his body through some means. Despite the treatments, medications, and efforts of the hospital, the secondary bacterial infection won the battle and Ryan went to be with Our Lord.

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