May 30, 2022

Scott Rysdon’s first clue that something wasn’t quite right came when his daughter told him she was winded going up the stairs in her college dorm.

He told Carly, then a freshman, she must be out of shape and to try exercising more.

It didn’t work.

“I remember getting back from a dealer meeting and her lips were gray,” said Rysdon, president and CEO of Sioux Steel Co.

The 19-year-old’s hemoglobin had dropped to 6.5. Normal is 14. Bone samples showed them 40 percent full of cancer.

On Feb. 28, 2018, Carly was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. There are only 500 pediatric cases reported each year in the U.S., Rysdon said.

Their treatment journey led the family to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, where Carly received a tailored form of research-driven chemotherapy.

“I have hundreds of cards and small gifts and blankets and things from people,” Rysdon said, crediting Avera Health with making the connection that allowed Carly to begin receiving treatment at St. Jude within days of reaching out to secure a place for her.

“In a community like this, this is what we want from our community,” he said. “We don’t want to be (a community) where nobody knows each other. We want to grow, but we want the familiarity of our family systems.”

While it took six months of cancer treatment and subsequent recovery time, Carly is now a business major at the University of Sioux Falls.

“She lost about a year of college, but she fought her way back and is going to graduate,” Rysdon said.

“The thing I talk about a lot is just having your daughter turn 24 and you’re so happy she’s there. When it gets burned in your brain that tomorrow isn’t a guarantee, it changes you forever.”

Rysdon now wants to give back to the community that supported his family’s cancer journey. He’s the co-chair of the South Dakota Light the Night event, scheduled Sept. 29 at Falls Park. It will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and include music, food vendors and a community walk.

“Success brings awareness, and it has a huge impact in finding more cures and making miracles happen every day,” Rysdon said.

To connect with the South Dakota Light the Night event, click here.