Organizers of the fifth annual Ryan McCleskey Redfish Challenge recently presented The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida with a donation of $5,510.
The funds were raised at an annual fishing tournament that took place earlier this summer at The Marina at Cape Harbour.
The annual tournament honors the legacy of Ryan McCleskey, who lost his fight against cancer on Feb. 3, 2006 when he was only 26 years old. McCleskey was raised in Cape Coral before becoming a Navy diver where he was stationed both in Guam and Pearl Harbor. While he was stationed in Hawaii, he was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer which usually is found only in children. Though McCleskey was an adult, because of the nature of his cancer, he was treated by the physicians and nurses at The Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Ryan McCleskey was so touched by the care he received at The Children’s Hospital that he started the tournament to raise funds for the children who were suffering with cancer and blood disorders.
McCleskey passed away the night before the second annual Tournament, but his family and friends have continued to grow the event in his honor.
Proceeds from the fifth annual Ryan McCleskey Redfish Challenge will be directed toward Barbara’s Friends—The Children’s Hospital Cancer Fund.

Source: Lee Memorial Health System