Paris rallies around Baby Ryan as fundraising campaign eases family's burden

Ryan McCauley rests in his hospital bed at SickKids Hospital. He underwent life-saving surgery on June 9th to repair Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare congenital heart defect.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

What began as a light-hearted promise of a hot pink pedicure has become something much bigger: a reminder of the compassion that can be found in a small town when one of its own is facing the fight of a lifetime.

Over the past several weeks, residents, local businesses and complete strangers rallied around eight-month-old Ryan McCauley and his family, raising more than $1,300 to help offset the costs of travel, hotel stays and lost income while Ryan underwent life-saving heart surgery at Toronto's SickKids Hospital.

For Ryan's mother, Jessica Murray, the financial support was matched only by the emotional encouragement her family received.

"No words could describe how thankful we are to be part of such a loving town," she said. "Being born and raised here really made me feel like I was part of a family much bigger than my own. I couldn't be more thankful for the community."

Ryan was diagnosed at just 18 weeks into Jessica's pregnancy with Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF), a rare congenital heart defect consisting of four structural abnormalities that reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the body.

According to the National Institutes of Health, Tetralogy of Fallot accounts for five to seven per cent of congenital heart defects. In Canada, it affects approximately 0.34 per 1,000 live births. Thanks to advances in early surgical repair, more than 97 per cent of patients now survive beyond childhood.

Despite his diagnosis, Ryan's early months were surprisingly typical.

"If we didn't know of his diagnosis early on it would have been impossible to notice," said Jessica. "He loves food, bouncing and is always full of smiles."

That changed when Ryan contracted Rhinovirus at four months old. His oxygen levels plummeted, forcing an emergency trip to McMaster Children's Hospital. From that point forward, his oxygen levels never fully recovered.

As surgery approached, the family faced another challenge.

Because Ryan needed to remain healthy for four weeks before surgery, repeated illnesses delayed the operation twice. With five children at home, including three attending school, avoiding germs became nearly impossible.

When Ryan began showing signs of heart failure at six months old, including excessive sleeping and sweating during feedings, the family entered full isolation.

"For six weeks there was no school friends, family, and no stores for the children," Jessica explained.

She credits her boyfriend, Thomas McCauley, and their children, especially oldest siblings Ares and Iris, for helping the family navigate one of the most difficult chapters of their lives.

"I've never seen such a strong bond between siblings."

Ryan finally underwent surgery on June 9. After nearly two weeks recovering in hospital, he returned home June 22.

"I've never been happier to be home," Jessica said.

The family's fundraising journey began after Domino's Pizza delivery driver Michael Durham was asked by store manager Ashkay Grover to help identify a local family in need.

"I reached out to a few of the local Paris community pages on Facebook," Durham said. "When this family's story came up — a six-month-old baby boy named Ryan dealing with four congenital heart defects and facing a major surgery on June 9th — it just completely got to me."

Knowing the family would face mounting expenses while away from home, Durham proposed a fundraiser of his own.

"If I can raise money for Baby Ryan, I'll go get a pedicure done in whatever color people vote for."

Customers donated $5 per vote to choose between bright white, candy apple red and hot pink.

Durham's original fundraising goal of $500 was surpassed within two weeks, eventually reaching $800.

"I know $800 doesn't sound like a lot of money, but seeing how Jessica and Thomas responded to it honestly brings me to tears," he said.

"Our healthcare system is incredible and covers so much, but it doesn't cover the added expenses of hotels, gas, meals, and regular bills coming in while you've had to take a leave of absence and aren't making the money you usually make,” added Durham.

Support poured in from throughout Paris and beyond, including one donation from the United Kingdom and a single $200 contribution that helped push the campaign past its goal.

People embraced the interactive fundraiser, casting 160 votes in total. Hot pink narrowly defeated candy apple red by just four votes.

"My personal choice at the start probably would've been 'none of the above,'" Durham joked.

After keeping his promise and sporting bright pink toenails, Durham said the experience left a lasting impression.

"This experience touched me in ways I never expected," he said. "Honestly, knowing what it was for, if I had to do it all over again, I'd choose the hot pink myself in a heartbeat. It wouldn't bother me in the least. It is so worth it to be able to help somebody who really deserves that and more."

Durham's campaign was followed by a second fundraiser organized through Domino's Pizza Paris.

From June 22 to 25, the store donated 100 per cent of the gross profit from a special pizza promotion, raising approximately $500 for the family.

"Supporting our community is a core value at Domino's Paris," said store manager Ashkay Grover. "As a locally operated business, we recognize that our success is made possible by the continued support of the residents, organizations, and families we serve."

Grover said the restaurant regularly supports local fundraisers, youth sports teams and community initiatives because giving back is part of the company's philosophy.

"We try to be part of the life of the community and try to contribute in whatever way we can." For Jessica, Thomas and family, the fundraiser was just one example of the generosity they’ve experienced throughout Ryan's medical journey.

Before the surgery, members of the Paris Mama Facebook group helped cover nearly all of the family's hotel expenses in Toronto, after the family was not successful in securing a room in the Ronald McDonald house. Other community members donated groceries through Jay's No Frills, provided gas cards and organized a Meal Train to help feed the family.

Together, those acts of kindness helped ease some of the financial burden, allowing Jessica and Thomas to focus on what mattered most - being by Ryan's side as he fought for his life.

Now safely home, Ryan continues his recovery surrounded by the community that stood behind him every step of the way. 

“I’ve never been happier to be home,” said Jessica.