My name is Matt Maneely, and I’m starting this fundraiser for my brother, Corey, and my 17-year-old nephew, Camden.

If you know my brother, you know asking for help isn’t something that comes easily to him. Corey owns his own business, works hard, and has always taken care of his family.

But right now, his son needs him more than ever.

Camden Maneely has been fighting since almost the day he was born.

Camden was born February 12, 2009. Just one week later, he underwent his first open-heart surgery. Complications followed when a blood clot in a coronary artery caused his heart to stop. He spent more than 30 days on ECMO and months in the hospital before he was finally able to go home.

But Camden’s heart remained weak and continued to fail.

On November 26, 2009, Camden was listed as Status 1A for a heart transplant. Just two weeks later, on December 10, he received the gift of a new heart.

After months of recovery, Camden finally got to come home and start living his life.

Unfortunately, his fight wasn’t over.

In the summer of 2018, while visiting his mother in Texas, Camden began having stomach pain. Doctors discovered PTLD, a type of cancer that can occur in transplant recipients as a result of the anti-rejection medications necessary to protect their transplanted organ.

Camden endured extremely difficult chemotherapy and beat the cancer.

Then, during the COVID era, it came back aggressively. The cancer spread rapidly, and lesions became so large they began blocking his stomach. Camden once again underwent intensive chemotherapy.

And once again, Camden beat cancer.

He later received a bone marrow/stem cell transplant in hopes of keeping the cancer from returning.

Now, at 17 years old, Camden is facing another fight.

About seven weeks ago, Corey brought Camden to the hospital in Burlington because of what appeared to be an upper respiratory infection and a cough that wouldn’t go away. Tests quickly showed something much more serious.

Camden’s transplanted heart was failing.

He was sent urgently to New York City, where Corey has remained by his side.

Camden is now going through the transplant evaluation process for another heart transplant — and this time, he also needs a kidney.

For a while, doctors were even considering a triple transplant involving his heart, kidney and liver. Thankfully, after a liver biopsy, doctors determined that his liver may be able to recover with a new heart.

So today, Camden and his family are hoping and praying for a heart and kidney transplant.

This time is different for Camden.

When he received his first heart transplant, he was a baby. He didn’t understand what was happening around him.

Now he’s 17. He understands everything.

He’s scared. But through everything he has endured, Camden continues to show an incredible amount of strength, courage and determination.

Corey says it best:

“His attitude amazes me every day. I wish I was 1/20 as strong as that young man. He is here for a reason, and he is loved very, very much.”

And that’s why I’m asking for your help.

Corey is self-employed. When he works, he earns a living. When he can’t work, there is no income coming in.

For the past seven weeks, he’s been in New York City with Camden instead of home running his business. The bills haven’t stopped, and the expenses associated with being away from home continue to add up. His truck also recently died, forcing him to purchase another vehicle so he can make the trips back and forth when necessary.

And this isn’t going to be over next week.

The transplant process, surgery and recovery could keep Camden and Corey in New York City for months.

Corey could go home and work.

But that would mean leaving his 17-year-old son in New York City while he waits for two organ transplants.

Camden needs his dad.

That’s really what this fundraiser is about.

I want to help my brother stay by his son’s side without having to choose between supporting his family financially and being there for Camden.

Donations will help with everyday household bills, transportation, vehicle expenses, food, travel and the mounting expenses that come with being away from home for an extended period while Corey is unable to operate his business.

Our family was born and raised here in the North Country. This is home. And more than anything, we want to see Camden healthy enough to come back home.

Corey never imagined he’d be asking people for help like this. In his own words:

“If you know me, you know I would never do this. But it’s not about me at all. It’s about Camden. He needs me there. He needs the strength I give him.”

If you’re able to donate, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Whether it’s $5, $20, $100, or simply sharing Camden’s story, every bit of help means Corey can spend a little less time worrying about how he’s going to pay the next bill and a little more time doing what matters most:

Being Dad.

Please keep Camden in your thoughts as he continues through the transplant process and waits for the chance at another heart and a new kidney.

Let’s help Corey stay beside his son — and help bring this North Country kid home.