In Memory of Matt Albers (see updates)

I’m Sarah. If you have been to a live music concert or a cosplay event in St. Louis, MO or surrounding areas, chances are good you have probably seen my friend Matt Albers. At 6’6”, he is hard to miss. It took awhile for me to talk to him and even longer to get to know him. I am so glad I did, because he is one of the funniest and genuinely kindhearted individuals I know. Matt is always working on something for the good of his metal and nerd communities, whether it’s planning a charity event, building an online community, or simply attending heavy metal shows - or even performing in them with one of his bands.

Matt never stops. He’s always planning something. But cancer has slowed him down and put a lot of things on hold. On November 16, 2022, Matt was diagnosed with a large spindle cell sarcoma tumor on his left shoulder. Sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of connective tissue, and while the tumor was discovered in its early stages, Matt began treatment one month after his diagnosis on December 16, 2022. The goal of treatment is, first, to save Matt’s life by removing the cancer so it does not spread. Second is to maintain mobility in that shoulder. Matt’s treatment requires a large medical team and heavy treatment. He has already gone through multiple rounds of chemotherapy, and has at least one more round as of the publication of this campaign.

After he completes chemotherapy, Matt will still require radiation treatment and surgery to remove the tumor, followed by rehab and recovery through physical therapy. He has been a fighter and stayed positive despite the side effects associated with chemo. But needless to say, his life has been turned upside down. Cancer has caused Matt to be unable to work or enjoy the aspects of life we all take for granted every day. Even with health insurance, Matt will still be left with a life-altering amount of medical debt. Matt’s family has been supporting every way possible, but they need help. This is why we have decided to start this GoFundMe campaign. Our goal is to raise enough funds to help him cover the cost of his medical bills and treatment expenses, and provide Matt with the support he needs to continue fighting. With our support, Matt can know that he is not alone in his fight, and we can help release some of the financial burdens.

Thank you for taking the time to read Matt’s story, and for any support you can provide. Please help someone who gives so much to his communities, friends and family. Any donation, no matter how small, can make a big impact on Matt’s life. Together, we can make a difference in his life and the lives of those affected by sarcoma cancer. Funds will be used to pay for medical bills and living expenses until Matt can return to work from medical leave. Matt remains upbeat and optimistic, and wants to continue fighting and raising awareness about sarcoma cancer, and he hopes that his journey can inspire others to do the same.