REAGAN SAVED MY LIFE: TRANSPLANT BOY

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By MALCOLM BALFOUR

June 8, 2004 -- MELBOURNE, Fla. — Ryan Osterblom barely remembers meeting President Reagan, but he will never forget him.

"If it wasn't for President Reagan — and the power of prayer — I wouldn't be here today," Ryan, 20, told The Post. "He saved my life."

In March 1985, 16-month-old Ryan lay dying of liver disease in a Florida hospital. Doctors were having a hard time finding a liver that matched his rare blood type.

That night, Ryan's father, Robert, bumped into Rep. Bill Nelson, now a Democratic senator, and pleaded for help.

The next week, Reagan called Nelson for help on an upcoming vote.

"I had already decided to vote with the president," Nelson recalled. "So I used the opportunity to tell him about Ryan. He responded so quickly, he made this miracle happen."

Reagan asked a Cabinet member to find a liver for the boy, and in April 1985, Ryan received a lifesaving transplant in Pittsburgh.

Immediately after Ryan's 22-hour surgery, Nancy Reagan called the hospital. Then, 30 minutes later, she called once more to say the president was on the line.

In 1987, the Osterbloms received another call. The president and Nancy were coming to Florida and wanted to meet with Ryan and his family.

This spring, Ryan graduated from high school with a 3.5 grade-point average. Now he is looking forward to college, inspired by Reagan.

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