Ryan Murphy and his aunt had a bond that spanned across the country.
The now 19-year-old didn’t see Trish Murphy often, but her job working in a hospital, taking care of sick children, was something he always admired.
“She would give her life for anyone,” he said.
But when she died last year after suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the joints, the now UF biomedical engineering sophomore struggled to find a way to honor her memory.
His parents told him about Ladybug House, a non-profit organization that raises money to build hospice homes for children, an organization his aunt was heavily involved with.
Murphy reached out to Suzanne Gwynn, the founder of Ladybug House and a former roommate of his aunt. He wanted to help in any way he could, he told her.
After launching the first national chapter of the organization at UF in February 2016, he’s raising money to help build the first Ladybug House in Seattle. As of press time, he’s raised more than $1,200.
“I’ve always wanted to help people in some way, and I feel like this is my calling,” he said.
Gwynn, who lives in Seattle, hopes to raise $20 million to build and operate the first house, which will be 25,000 square feet with 12 suites. The house will allow children with life-threatening illnesses to stay in a comforting environment near a hospital, she said. The United Kingdom has 54 similar houses, but there are only two in the U.S., she said.
Trish Murphy supported Gywnn more than anyone after she established Ladybug House, Gwynn said. Gwynn would call her in tears, and she would help her cope with the stress of starting the organization while balancing her job as a nurse.
“She was my biggest cheerleader,” she said. Together, they worked the night shift at Seattle Children’s Hospital, helping young patients going through their hardest days.
Ryan Murphy remembers how his aunt radiated joy, despite her demanding job.
“(Trish) was around these type of kids who had these illnesses,” he said. “She treated them like her own children.”
Gwynn and Murphy have never met, but their connection through Trish Murphy is helping the organization expand across the country.
After all his work, Gwynn said her friend would be proud of her nephew.
“It’s people like Ryan,” she said. “Those are the people who are going to make a difference in the world. The ones who lead with their hearts.”
Murphy’s fundraising goal of $10,000 will give him and the about 50 members of the UF chapter a goal to strive for, he said. He plans to have his friends at five other universities start more chapters. After graduating, Murphy wants to continue working with the organization to help as many kids as possible.
“I hope to grow this across the whole country,” he said. “To think that these kids are given a date on their life, it really puts things in perspective for me.”
Ryan Murphy and his Aunt Trish Murphy, pose for a picture. Ryan started the UF chapter of Ladybug House, which was co-founded by his aunt’s friend. He is currently raising money for the organization.
