Support Matt Rahn’s Fight Against Stage 4 Melanoma

Our dear friends are facing the fight of their lives. At 51, Matt has been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. He is a devoted dad, husband, and provider, and right now their family could really use support. This has been emotionally and financially overwhelming.

If you are able to donate, share, or keep them in your prayers, it would mean more than words can say. Thank you for helping surround this family with love and hope.

Matt’s Fight

We have been fighting this battle quietly for 9 months. I can't take it anymore! We are devastated! I ask for your prayers and support.

In April and in June of 2025 my husband, Matt had a hemmorhaggic stroke/brain bleed both times it was assumed to be caused by high blood pressure. Each time he was hospitalized for 2 weeks. He recovered well without lasting effects.

In July of 2025 he started to have a horrible intense headache. I rushed him to the ER. He suffered a 3rd hemorrhagic stroke. This time the hemorrhaging in his brain went over the midline. Matt was left with right sided weakness. After his third hospitalization he was transferred and admitted to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. He worked his ass off for 5 weeks, over 3 hours a day and learned to walk again and to gain the control of his right side. He was set for discharged in 4 days. On August 23rd, while at RIM he was transferred to the ER. It was discovered that the bleed that caused the 3 previous hemmorhaggic strokes was a tumor. Matt underwent a craniotomy and the 6 inch tumor was removed. Pathology concluded that it is melanoma. Matt lost functioning of his right side again and more. This time it was much worse. Upon discharge, Matt would undergo Gamma Knife to target the rest of the melanoma with radiation. After a traumatic 30 day hospitalization. Matt was transferred to a subacute rehab for 2 weeks to start a bit of rehab, continuing to heal from brain surgery and then undergo the gamma knife. We hoped to get back into RIM inpatient acute care. Cigna denied this because in the 2 weeks, Matt made a tiny bit of progress. Matt was then discharged sent home. He requires 24 hour care and I became his caregiver. He only receives out patient OT and PT twice a week progress has been slow. His right hand is still tight with no functioning movement. He uses a wheel chair and 4 prong cane.

Matt had a follow up petscan , 2 metastatic melanoma tumors were visible. One in the lung and one in the mesentary area. Plan of attack is immunotherapy.

This past week at the follow up appt we mentioned that Matt had a headache. A stat ct of the head was ordered. At least 2 melanoma tumors were visible. The following MRI confirmed 3-7 mm melanoma tumors (size of pea). Matt will temporarily stop immunotherapy and undergo the gamma knife procedure.

Melanoma stage 4 is aggressive. It has changed our lives. Matt is a fighter! He is our everything to our family. We love him dearly.

Please keep us in your prayers.

Thank you to our family that have supported, respected our privacy until we were ready, and have been there for us in countless ways. We love you!