Ryan Murphy Shares Son's Cancer Diagnosis and Large Donation to Children's Hospital Los Angeles

Director and producer Ryan Murphy, known for “Glee” and “American Horror Story” shared on Instagram that his youngest son, Ford Miller Murphy, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma 2 years ago and is now “thriving.” To show their appreciation, Ryan and his husband, David Miller, are donating $10 million to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

“Two years ago, this sweet little innocent boy with a deep belly laugh and an obsession with Monster Trucks was diagnosed with neuroblastoma… an often fatal pediatric cancer,” Murphy wrote, recounting his son’s diagnosis.

Neuroblastoma primarily affects infants and young children because it’s found in early and developing forms of nerve cells. About half of cases start in nerve cells in the abdomen, which is where Ford’s cancer was found during a normal checkup. Other times, it’s found near the spine or in the chest or neck, according to the American Cancer Society.

Neuroblastoma makes up 6 percent of cancers in children. Kids between 1 year to 18 months old have a higher chance of being cured than older children. Symptoms can include lumps or swelling in the abdomen or neck that isn’t painful. Swelling can also occur in the legs, chest or face. Children may have weight loss or trouble eating. Some have problems with swallowing or breathing.

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I’d like you to meet Ford Theodore Miller Murphy. Today is a big day in his and our family’s lives. Two years ago, this sweet little innocent boy with a deep belly laugh and an obsession with Monster Trucks was diagnosed with neuroblastoma…an often fatal pediatric cancer. Ford’s cancer — an abdominal tumor the size of a tennis ball — was found during a normal check up by his brilliant pediatrician Dr. Lauren Crosby @drlaurencrosby. From there, Ford has undergone a huge surgery and several difficult procedures. My better half, David Miller, was a rock through this — strong and patient and loving (I was always a trembling wreck). Ford was strong as well, and today he is thriving. He just celebrated his fourth birthday, a milestone we are all so thrilled about. Ford is doing so well because of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles @childrensla. Today at the hospital we are donating a wing in tribute to Ford and our family is making a gift of $10 million dollars so that other children can experience the love and care of this exceptional facility. No child is turned away at Children’s Hospital. We are so honored and lucky to contribute, and encourage everybody who can to do the same. We love you, Ford. ???? credit: @dcmphoto.biz

A post shared by Ryan Murphy (@mrrpmurphy) on Oct 22, 2018 at 10:18am PDT

In honor of the donation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles said in a statement it will name a floor after Ford, who is now four years old. Ryan said the donation is “so that other children can experience the love and care of this exceptional facility.”

“No child is turned away at Children’s Hospital,” Murphy wrote on his post. “We are so honored and lucky to contribute, and encourage everybody who can to do the same.”

The hospital said the donation will go toward surgical oncology, neuroblastoma treatment and research for the hospital’s Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases. The donation will also be used to name a chair of surgical oncology, which will be Dr. James Stein, the hospital’s current chief medical officer.