Branson Strong - Help Matt Beat Leukemia!

In February 2023, our dear friend Matt Branson - devoted dad, loving husband, brilliant lawyer, and man of deep faith – began feeling ill.

Nothing dramatic – just run of the mill flu-like symptoms. But when his symptoms didn’t resolve after about 10 days, his wife Nicole urged him to seek medical care.

After the usual suspects – flu, Covid, etc., -- were ruled out, his doctor did a white blood cell count – and the results were extremely frightening – and very indicative of leukemia.

Almost immediately, Matt was hospitalized, and the diagnosis was confirmed - acute myeloid leukemia. This is an aggressive and fast-moving form of leukemia, but thankfully, his decision to seek medical care quickly allowed the doctors to pinpoint the diagnosis and begin his treatment.

The past 15 months have been a roller coaster for Matt, Nicole, and their family – their son Christian and his wife Olivia; Gregor, a rising college freshman; and Amelia, a rising high school senior.

Matt has bravely undergone multiple rounds of chemotherapy, endured several long hospitalizations, a stem-cell transplant, many, many visits to the outpatient oncology clinic, and even more treatment for complications secondary to all that treatment but that have proven just as dangerous.

But AML has proven to be a formidable opponent, and despite the excellent care he's received at VCU Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, his doctors have decided that the best course of action is for Matt to begin receiving treatment at the MD Anderson Cancer Center – one of the world’s premier cancer centers – in Houston, Texas.

After his first trip there in early May 2024, the doctors developed a very specific treatment plan to address the very specific subtype of leukemia that Matt is facing.

This treatment will require long stays for Matt in Houston, which will take him away from Christian, Olivia, Gregor, and Amelia, who is dealing with her own set of health issues, which will require open-heart surgery this summer (as if their plate is not full enough!!).

Matt has faced this horrible fight with a quiet bravery, and Nicole has done absolutely heroic work managing the family and escorting Matt to and from his many appointments and treatments during his illness.

Given the seriousness and toll that both his illness and the intense treatment have taken, Matt has been unable to work since February 2023, and the burden on the family has been significant.

For that reason, a group of Matt and Nicole’s close friends have set up this fundraiser for them. Agreeing to this fundraiser was not an easy decision for them, but we know the family will greatly appreciate any help they receive.

Any and all funds received will help support the Bransons' basic needs – groceries, mortgage, utilities, travel costs to and from Houston, and other basic living expenses.

The Bransons are an incredible family joined together and strengthened by their endless love for one another and their profound commitment to their faith. And countless people have rallied around them in this tough time to support them with meals, gift cards, visits, prayer, and fellowship.

But given the transition to this new phase of Matt’s treatment while he fights for his future, we wanted to streamline people’s ability to support them during this time.

Every contribution will help ease the burden on these beautiful people.

With deepest thanks on behalf of the Branson Family:

David Kazzie

Alan Ashby

Matt Phillips

Eric Snyder