Ryan: When the classroom becomes an anchor
Classroom stability gave him the strength to keep pressing ahead
ABOUT Ryan
"Being able to focus on something other than cancer... Work has been great throughout all of this."
Iowa City, Iowa, United States: When Ryan Dwars was diagnosed with stage II pancreatic cancer at just 36 years old, his days quickly became filled with chemotherapy appointments, scans and difficult medical decisions. Yet as treatment became part of his life, he continued showing up in the classroom.
As a school teacher, continuing to work allowed Ryan to keep his routines. Each day he stepped into the classroom, he could focus on his students and lesson plans rather than appointments, test results and cancer itself. It provided structure, purpose and a sense of normalcy during a period of uncertainty.
Ryan is very grateful to his school, which adapted his workload and schedule around Friday treatment sessions and medical appointments. That support became especially important in 2024 when Ryan was offered a place in a highly specialized clinical trial. The treatment required him to spend three months in New York City. By a fortunate coincidence, the timing aligned with the school's summer break, making it possible for him to pursue the opportunity without stepping away from teaching.
Throughout nearly five years of treatment, Ryan never had to leave his job. Aside from treatment days and medical appointments, he continued working.
Today, Ryan continues to teach while also coaching youth baseball.
