Ryan Teixeira, Arroyo Grande graduate battling cancer, has died
Ryan Teixeira, a 2015 graduate of Arroyo Grande High School and cancer survivor, has died.
Sources have confirmed to KEYT that Teixeira passed away Saturday evening in a Los Angeles-area hospital.
Teixeira gained local notoriety after his first public battle with cancer. Teixeira was a standout athlete at Arroyo Grande High School where played both baseball and football. During his senior year, he was diagnosed with Stage 1 Ewing Sarcoma and underwent several rounds of chemotherapy.
In October, community members gathered for a bone marrow registry to help Teixeira with his latest diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Following the marrow drive, Ryan’s younger brother Aaron was identified as a positive donor. Ryan underwent the bone marrow transplant in January.
While receiving treatment in Los Angeles, Teixeira had the opportunity to meet a number of his personal heroes from the sports world. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim All Star Mike Trout texted Ryan on multiple occasions and Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich stopped by and gave him a signed bat.
As the San Luis Obispo Tribune reports , in December, Teixeira was visited in the hospital by Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner.
On Friday, Turner tweeted support for his friend battling cancer. In the tweet, Turner said: Prayers are needed for Ryan Teixeira #17Strong.
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) March 4, 2017
Turner’s twitter profile picture shows the two together from that December visit.
Family members had been documenting his latest bout with cancer on the fundraising and journal site CaringBridge.
Saturday evening, a family member updated the page to inform followers of Ryan’s death. Cee Teixeira’s message was that of gratitude.
Tonight our fearless warrior won his victory…at 7:pm Ryan went home to be with Jesus… It was very peaceful for Ryan…we know he’s running around heaven shaking hands telling everyone he’s Ryan…our hearts are broken…but God still reigns and He is still on His throne…He still loves us and we still trust…thank you beyond words for standing with us through this … our gratitude is eternal.
Ryan leaves behind a devoted family and loving Arroyo Grande community.
“He was just an incredible person,” says Dwight MacDonald, the athletic director at Arroyo Grande High School. “No matter how bad he was feeling he always had a positive outlook and a smile on his face. He was one of those kids that says basically ‘don’t worry about me, I’m going to be okay.'”
MacDonald says the baseball team, which fields many seniors that played with Teixeira, his leadership will carry them through the season.
“Even when situations weren’t going our way on the baseball field, he always had a way of bringing the kids together in a positive fashion. There are so many great moments we’ll remember Ryan for.”
Anyone who would like to donate in honor of Teixeira can do so on his CaringBridge page or by registering to be a bone marrow donor on BeTheMatch . Other fundraising opportunities are posted on Ryan’s Facebook page, 17Strong .
The newsroom staff sends our condolences to the Teixeira family and all those who were touched by his life.
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