Ryan Steadman, a 44-year-old father of three boys from Cincinnati, Ohio, embodies resilience and positivity in his journey with kidney cancer. A husband, brother, and son, Ryan’s family-oriented life is filled with passion for sports, outdoor adventures, and craft beer. Ryan is a dedicated Cincinnati Reds, Bengals, and Bearcats fan. He also loves concerts, counting Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones among his most memorable experiences.
But Ryan’s life took an unexpected turn in 2022 with a diagnosis of stage 3 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) that changed everything.
Ryan shares the importance of his support network: “On tough days, my family—especially my wife Lucy, kids, and close friends—are my biggest motivators. Lucy has been with me every step of the way, attending every medical appointment over the last two years. Her support has been beyond words.”
Living in Cincinnati, the Steadmans “ride the emotional roller coaster of being loyal to the Reds, Bengals, and Bearcats.” They love taking trips and spending time outdoors.
Ryan’s story began the night before Thanksgiving 2022. He was preparing to meet friends for a pre-holiday gathering when he experienced severe back and flank pain. The pain escalated quickly, and Ryan thought it was similar to a kidney stone he’d had years ago. He headed to the ER and soon learned that it was something far more serious: a tumor the size of a softball on his kidney.
Following a radical nephrectomy, Ryan was urged to consider adjuvent therapy due to the tumor’s stage. Despite the adjuvent therapy, post-op scans showed the cancer had spread to his psoas muscle, requiring additional treatment with VEGF-TKI therapy and radiation.
Two years after Ryan went to the ER with pain, he is in a good place. Reflecting on his journey, Ryan says, “I passed the two-year mark this Thanksgiving, with recent scans showing stable and good results.”
Ryan is pictured here with his three boys at Chicago’s Navy Pier. The family loves to get outdoors and explore.
As a trained pharmacist and current business leader at a managed Medicaid health plan, Ryan’s medical background has been an asset in understanding his diagnosis and treatment options. His clinical skills helped him stay informed on the latest advances in kidney cancer treatment, but he stresses the importance of self-advocacy. “I encourage other patients to ask questions—whether they seem ‘big’ or ‘small.’ There are no dumb questions when it comes to your health,” he says.
After a recurrence of the cancer on his psoas muscle, Ryan worked closely with his oncologist to decide on radiation as the safest and most effective treatment option. This personalized approach, based on his specific needs and circumstances, has kept his scans stable.
Ryan’s commitment to advocacy began early in his journey with kidney cancer. “When I was diagnosed, I knew I wanted to get involved in advocacy,” he shares. His involvement has taken many forms, including participation in KidneyCAN’s Congressional advocacy days and serving as a consumer reviewer for the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP).
“Participating in the KCRP Consumer Review Program has been an amazing opportunity. I get to review new research grants from the consumer perspective, ensuring that patient needs and outcomes are at the forefront.” — Ryan Steadman
Through the KCRP Consumer Review Program, Ryan reviews research grant applications, ensuring that patient needs and outcomes are central to funding decisions. He describes this work as “incredibly rewarding,” adding, “It’s an amazing opportunity to help push research forward.”
Ryan’s family is his “biggest motivator” on tough days. He says, “My kids, just by being themselves, bring light into my life.”
When he needs a boost, Ryan turns to exercise and music, both of which he finds therapeutic.
Ryan also draws strength from his family on challenging days, especially his wife and three sons. “My wife has been with me every step of the way, attending every medical appointment over the last two years,” he says. His children bring light and joy into his life, while the love and encouragement from close friends motivate him to keep pushing forward.
Inspired by Ryan’s journey? You, too, can make an impact. Join KidneyCAN’s virtual advocacy days and share your story with Congress to advocate for increased funding and better treatment options. Together, we can continue accelerating cures for kidney cancer.
Share your story with Congress and help ensure that the lifesaving research funded by programs like the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) continues to grow.
My son who is 65 has kidney cancer which has mestizied in his bones. Two years ago he had a cancer growth on his kidney which he had frozen. All was good until he started having pain throughout his body losing weight and had stomach problems. During tests they discovered the cancer. He is undergoing treatment now in Michigan City Indiana in conjunction with University of Chi ago hospital.