Help Matty Get Through This

The great guy in all of these pictures is Matt Powell of Tiverton, RI.  He is a loving husband, wonderful father and one of the best grandparents around.  He is one of those guys that is always there for you when you need him and would literally give you the shirt off of his back if it was all that he had left to give.

Unfortunately, Matt and his family learned in early April that he was suffering from Stage 4 tonsil cancer.  After meeting with the oncologist, they learned that it was an aggressive form of cancer that had spread to the surrounding lymph nodes of his throat.  In order to treat this type of cancer, a very aggressive treatment is needed.  Matt was able to start this treatment at Rhode Island Hospital on April 20th and has to continue for the duration of 8 weeks.  That means that him and his wife, Nicole, travel up to Providence daily to receive radiation.  Also, once weekly, he is also receiving intense chemotherapy which is very grueling on the body. 

This extreme therapy has been very hard on all of him but especially his throat, which makes it very difficult for Matt to swallow, eat and talk.  Because of this, during week 3 of his treatment, he had to have surgery in order to put in a feeding tube to have easier access to receive nutrition.  

Cancer diagnoses are always hard on everyone, but the Coronavirus has made it even more difficult on the family.  No one is allowed to accompany Matt to any of his chemotherapy appointments or even simply sit with him in the waiting room of his doctor's office.  And even after everything is with treatment is completed, there is still a long road ahead of him.  Matt will have to work with a speech pathologist in order to learn how to swallow and talk again.  

As his daughters, we know that this man will make it through this tough time, just like he always does- but a little help never hurt anyone.  Not only are we asking for prayers and good thoughts to be sent his way, but please donate to help Matt and his family get through this with their heads held high.  All of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be to help Matt and his family with his medical bills and treatment supplies.  

Even if you can't donate, please share this as much as possible.  Thank you all in advance!

Sincerely,
Jess and Hailey