Help Matthew get back on his feet

I moved to New York seven years ago and one of the very first people I met was Matthew D'Abate. Being in a new place and mostly friendless, he would invite me to his bartending shifts and introduced me to people who still remain my best friends today. I met the woman I love, in fact, on his shift.

We all had parties and made music and wrote books and curated art shows, gathering together a wonderful group of talented people in our neighborhood.

Matthew has always championed the creation of art and inspired me and others around him to do just that; evident in his films, books and poetry collections.

He was diagnosed August 1, 2017 with stage 4A oropharyngeal cancer, which has spread to his left lymph nodes. The doctors were fast in diagnosing it and he is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

I have seen Matthew go from the usual extroverted, people-person we all know to being weakened and unable to enjoy the small things we all take for granted, like the taste of a meal.

I'm starting this campaign so Matt can have one less thing to worry about while he gets better.        
 
I know that Matthew's wife Svetlana is working overtime while he's out of work. Insurance covers most of his medical expenses, but New York City is a hard place to be sick. 

He told me he'll be back on his feet in January, which is the earliest we will find out if he's cancer-free. 

Until then, let's work together to help Matthew in any way possible. Give what you can or even just share this with other people. Matthew has helped me many, many times and I'd like to see everyone help him.