Paranormal State Star Ryan Buell Diagnosed With Pancreatic Cancer

August 10, 2012

Ryan Buell, the founder of the Paranormal Research Society and star of the hit series Paranormal State on A&E, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Ryan is only 30-years-old.

If you’ve been a fan of the show, you may have been wondering where it went. Well it’s safe to say Ryan’s diagnosis had nothing to do with the shows disappearance. In January 2011, Ryan told fans via Facebook that the show was ending so members of the team could pursue other things. The final episode of Paranormal State aired just a few months later in May.

Unfortunately, in June 2012 Ryan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and he shared the news in a photograph (below). In the caption, he wrote the following:

This shot was taken by Sergey Poberezhny. While I feel that it’s best to let artistic expression be judged by those viewing it, know this: it was both terrifying, humiliating, and liberating all at the same time. There are a few messages to you all in this photo. I love you all and thank you for your support:
To those of us that are currently afflicted, soldier on.
To those whose loved ones feel restricted, soldier on.
To those that fight a battle from inside, soldier on.
To those that share the war outside, solider on.

Ryan’s message to fans is clear: he’s going to fight and he wants everyone else who’s battling cancer or caring for someone who is, that you’re not alone.

On July 13, 2012, someone from Ryan’s staff posted A personal message to fans on Facebook stating that Ryan would be taking some much needed time off (away from social networking) to focus on getting well. The PRS staff member stated that Ryan was going to begin a new form of treatment in August.

Just a week later, Ryan was hospitalized for kidney failure and although he was released, the strain on his body continued to cause problems, forcing him to return to the hospital again and again.

On August 6, 2012, Ryan underwent a “medical procedure” that was deemed a success. What that procedure was is not known at this time.

If you are unfamiliar with pancreatic cancer, then you may not know that this type of cancer can be incredibly difficult to treat because of where the tumor is located. The pancreas is essentially hidden behind other organs, making removal of any cancerous tumor very difficult.

Unfortunately, I learned quite a bit about this disease when my step-father wad diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He underwent what’s called the Whipple surgery; a very invasive procedure that tries to remove the cancerous tumor. In order to get to the pancreas, the surgeons basically have to reorganize all of your other organs. The procedure is worth the downtime if it actually works.

In my step-fathers case, the procedure was not a success. When the surgeons were finally able to see his pancreas, they discovered that the tumor was growing in such a way that it could not be removed. Although he tried everything, it wasn’t enough. My step-father passed away last year.

Now we don’t know whether Ryan underwent the Whipple surgery, but if he did and it was a success, then that is great news. We want nothing more than for Ryan to get better and lead a full life.

The future of the Paranormal Research Society looks bright and we’re sure Ryan is fighting as hard as he can to enjoy the fruits of his labor. The team is moving to Raleigh, NC this weekend where they set up their new headquarters.

The Paranormal Research Society has also established a new website called The Paranormal Bureau and this appears to be the future of PRS. The website is up, but its official launch will be in September 2012. Here is a sneak peek of what’s in store:

“The PRS Bureau” is a one-of-a-kind multi-platform, social media experience that is exclusively dedicated to exploring the unknown in every way imaginable.

“The Bureau” is more than another online discussion group; it’s a virtual ship where you can join online research divisions that contribute to real PRS cases and investigations; an educational learning tool where you can enroll in diverse paranormal web courses (“Paranormal University”); an online TV channel dedicated to bringing you original content such as docu-series, short films, horror/paranormal themed movies and news programming; an online meeting space that will soon open local “Bureau” chapters across the United States and then the world.

There will be hundreds of special-interest clubs. Live investigations that you can watch from your home TV or computer. “The PRS Bureau” will offer countless opportunities and exciting events that you can join in person or participate in online. “The PRS Bureau” is offering you a bold new way to pursue your ultimate questions about the unknown.

In short, “The PRS Bureau” will soon be your home and your protector, ready to take you on the ultimate journey!

It sounds pretty cool!

If you would like to stay connected with Ryan, “Like” him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

To support Ryan and the many others battling pancreatic cancer, give your support to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network today.