Support Matt in His Fight Against Cancer!

Please join me in supporting our friends, Matt, and Molly, as they navigate Matt’s new cancer diagnosis and upcoming bone marrow transplant.

On July 19th, Matt was sent to the emergency room by his doctor after experiencing shortness of breath. A CT scan showed a large tumor sitting near his heart. After surgery to remove fluid around his heart and a biopsy of the tumor, Matt was diagnosed with Extramedullary Myeloid Sarcoma, a rare form of leukemia. A bone marrow biopsy showed that his bone marrow also contained abnormal cancer cells with a unique genetic make-up, different and even more rare than the sarcoma. These cancers are fast growing and aggressive.

He was immediately started on chemotherapy and, although the first round did not succeed, the second round was successful in putting him into temporary remission! Two months after stepping into the ER, Matt was released from the hospital. He was able to spend two wonderful weeks at home with Molly and their dog, Lucy. Matt is currently in the hospital undergoing a 3rd round of chemo.

The risk of this type of cancer coming back is incredibly high. His diagnosis is very serious, but there is the possibility of a cure through a bone marrow transplant. This is his only real option for survival and the BMT team at Stanford University is rapidly preparing for transplant. The transplant will require both Molly and Matt to relocate to Palo Alto for several months and Molly will be his 24-hour caretaker for at least the first 100 days post-transplant. The transplant will require Matt to receive full body radiation, chemotherapy and other treatments that will make him very sick.

Matt has been unable to work since July and both he and Molly are unable to work for the foreseeable future. Your support will allow them to focus 100% on his treatment and healing. They will have many needs during this time, including housing, transportation, special dietary restrictions, and medical interventions. This fight has only just begun, but Matt is a fighter. He and Molly are a great team.

Your love, support and prayers have brought them this far—let’s keep going!

Thanks,

Ashley