Matthew was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia on August 27, 2011 just days before he was to start his freshman year in High School. On the first day instead of starting high school, Matthew started his journey with cancer and his chemotherapy. Through this journey Matthew has become an inspiration for others, and works hard not to hang onto the negatives along the way. Even while in the Pediatric ICU he remained worried about the other children around him and this allowed him not to focus on how his health was. Often during his journey he would say "It could be worse. As long as I am breathing it could always be worse." This is often the words he spoke when he would become seriously ill. Matthew remains very thankful for the research that has been done prior to his diagnosis that has saved his life. With out foundations like St. Baldricks, the doctors, researchers, and those who give to cancer research Matthew and many of his friends he has met along his journey would not be here today. He is fully aware though that more research needs to be done to improve treatments thus saving more children's lives and improving treatments and long term effects of many kiddos who battle cancer. Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.