BYRON — A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established for the five-year-old son of a Mary Morgan Elementary School special education teacher.

Emily Hoppe’s son, Ryker, was at a Byron Tigers football game Nov. 4 when he experienced a medical emergency during the game and was later diagnosed with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), the GoFundMe’s organizer, Jennifer Smith, said.

“DIPG is a highly-aggressive brain stem tumor located on the Pons. Due to the location of the tumor, it is ultimately inoperable with very limited options for treatment,” The GoFundMe said. “DIPG affects 200-300 children per year and holds a very low long-term survival rate. The heartbreak and devastation that Ryker and his family are experiencing is something that no one should ever have to endure."
A charity game will be held at Stine Stadium in Byron on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m.

To view the GoFundMe, please visit: https://gf.me/v/c/mgcm/rykers-fight-against-dipg

Contributions to the GoFundMe will go towards Ryker’s medical expenses, rehabilitation programs, and other essential resources that will help him as he battles DIPG.

As of Nov. 7, the GoFundMe had raised $100,961 and started with a $50,000 goal.