A Dream Trip for a Family Facing Cancer: Every Moment Counts

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We come to you today with a heavy heart, as we share the story of our dear friend, Matt, a 39-year-old man who has recently received devastating news regarding his health which has impacted his wonderful family comprising of his wife Nicki, four children – William, age 8, Isabelle, age 5, and the twins Isla and Esme, who are 20 months old.

Matt was originally diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in June 2023 and underwent chemotherapy treatment and surgery. This had appeared to be successful, however In December 2024, Matt was informed that his cancer had returned and spread to the peritoneum and pelvis. At that time, a plan was established for him to undergo an intensive chemotherapy regimen, consisting of 10 days on and 4 days off, with the hope of slowing the cancer's progression and the potential for future surgery.

Tragically, a recent MRI scan has revealed that the cancer has now spread to Matt's liver, leaving surgery no longer a viable option. Faced with this heart-breaking development, Matt has been given a prognosis of 18 months and has been advised to make the most of his remaining time by embracing and enjoying life to the fullest extent possible.

The journey that Matt and his family have been on has been fraught with unimaginable challenges, beyond the already difficult battle with cancer. In 2022, Matt's wife, Nicki, underwent surgery for a glioma brain tumour, necessitating frequent scans and ongoing surveillance for any signs of recurrence. The family's trials continued as they received the joyous news of the arrival of their beautiful identical twin girls in June 2023, coinciding with Matt's initial bowel cancer diagnosis.

The birth of their twins was not without complications; Matt faced multiple post-surgery complications, leading to a four-week hospital stay followed by chemotherapy. Simultaneously, Nicki battled pre-eclampsia, requiring hospitalization as well. The twins were born prematurely, with baby Isla having a hole in her heart, leaving the family anxiously awaiting news regarding the possibility of necessary heart surgery. Additionally, genetic testing has revealed that baby Isla has a chromosomal deformity that may impact her development and uncertainty regarding her future needs.

The obstacles Matt and Nicki have overcome in the past two years are inconceivable to most and serve as a testament to their strength, resilience, and unwavering love for one another. It is our hope that, through the support of friends, family, and this campaign, we can offer them some measure of comfort and relief during this incredibly challenging time.

The overwhelming challenges that Matt, Nicki, and their family are facing have prompted us to establish this GoFundMe page, uniting our community in a show of support for this extraordinary family. Our primary objective is to raise funds to help provide a degree of financial relief during these trying times.

Moreover, we aim to help maximize the precious time they have left together as a family by providing the resources necessary for them to embark on a dream holiday to Disneyland Orlando. This trip will not only create lasting memories for Matt, Nicki, and their children, but will also offer a much-needed respite from the difficulties they have been enduring.

Your contributions will not only offer much-needed support, but they will also serve as a tangible expression of the love and compassion that surrounds Matt as he navigates this incredibly difficult journey. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity and kindness. Together, we can make a profound difference in Matt's life, allowing him to create cherished memories and find moments of joy in the precious time he has left with us.