When the Eaton family gave Kalispell Regional Medical Center a call, asking if the hospital had some oncology patients who might to use  free iPads, it didn’t take long to say yes.

The Eatons, in memory of their son Ryan, have traveled around Montana donating the tablets to the various large hospitals in the state for patients who are forced to stay long periods in bed.

Ryan Eaton, a graphic designer, started a T-shirt company — United Luv Project Inc. — several years ago. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma — a rare form of cancer that attacks soft tissue near joints.

Ryan was 26 when cancer took his life in 2013. His family took over the company and sells the designs to raise money for the iPads they give to other cancer patients.

According to his mother, Vicki, all Ryan wanted to do was make people happy.

“He had a really compassionate heart,” she said. “He was always worried about everybody else. He’d always say he was so glad it was him in that bed, because if it was one of us, he couldn’t have handled it.”

The Eatons, from Billings, have visited every other large hospital in the state and made their eighth hospital visit at KRMC, donating nine of the tablets (matched by another three from the hospital).

Now United Luv will head to Seattle and Denver and possibly other places, the Eatons said. 

Ryan’s brother Dallas took the helm of the nonprofit project after Ryan’s death and took it statewide.

Cancer patients from 2 years old to 70 have got a chance to play with the tablets to stave off the boredom of long hospital stays.

“It’s an honor to be able to do this in his name,” Dallas said of his brother. “Here he was, full of cancer, and he’s worried about the guy next to him who had no visitors all day.”

Ryan Eaton knew just how boring it was spending all day in the hospital, and he was a popular young man with a loving family. Other patients weren’t always so fortunate.

“He always felt like he was so lucky,” Vicki said, wiping away tears. “He just wasn’t, but he always had that optimism.”

Ryan’s death still touches a raw nerve for the Eatons, but the hospitals are treated to a pleasant surprise whenever the family calls.

Allison Meilicke, a registered nurse and patient ambassador-navigator, accepted the tablets and thanked the family at a noon reception at KRMC on Friday.

“This is something we had been looking into for a while,” she said. “And something we are happy to participate in.”

While most of the iPads go to cancer patients, they can be used for deaf children or other patients recovering with long hospital stays. The Eatons and the hospitals have combined to donate nearly 145 of the tablets.

“People think of us as the iPad people, like we get a great deal from Apple,” said Ryan’s father Sheldon. “We just go to Target, it’s easier. We’re very blessed to be able to carry on his charity. It’s bittersweet.”

Many families cannot afford electronic devices that can allow them to communicate with family or even just play games.

Ryan’s attitude remains an inspiration for his family.

“It broke his heart when he saw other patients sitting there without company,” Sheldon said. “He always kept a positive attitude until the very end. He told doctors he didn’t want to know the odds, he just wanted to know the next thing to do, tell me the next thing to do.”

To find out more about United Luv or to purchase a shirt, go to Unitedluv.com or facebook.com/unitedluv. 

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.