Every year the Star Valley Braves Football team does a lift-a-thon in which each player secures sponsors for every pound they lift in order to raise funds for a worthy cause. This year, the monies raised from their efforts will go to the Ryker Dana family as they support him in his battle against some serious health obstacles.

“Every year we do a liftathon with the hope of using our platform to encourage those who are able to donate to a cause that’s important to us,” stated the Star Valley Football Facebook page.

“Ryker was diagnosed with a high grade glioma on June 25. It is terminal and there is no treatment for it or a cure. They are doing six weeks of radiation and an oral chemo pill to help slow the aggressiveness down it may shrink it a little, but it will not make it go away and there is no surgery for it.”

The page noted that after a biopsy and a surgery to create a new pathway for vital fluids to pass had some success. This was done to help prevent the build up and pressure of those fluids which could have caused blindness.

“That surgery was very successful and helped his major headaches to very minimal now if any,” the post noted. “His last eye appointment we got a miracle and his eyes were back to normal no one could believe it (thank you to the prayers we have received).”

Dana is now scheduled to return back to Salt Lake City for more tests and scans on October 9 with a likely continuation of chemotherapy and determine the next steps.

The football team noted that donations to the Dana family can be made at all three Bank of Star Valley locations in Alpine, Thayne and Afton. Also look for ways to donate to this cause at home football games. The Braves will be back on the home field hosting the Cody Broncs on October 2 for Homecoming.