Help Matt Beat Cancer (For the 3rd Time!)

Matthew Randall has had a wild ride with cancer in his 27 years! Matt was initially treated at Seattle Children's hospital at the age of one for Kidney cancer (a very rare mixture of Wilm's tumor and Renal cell carcinoma). He had his left kidney and a large tumor removed on his first birthday. At 2-1/2 years old, the cancer came back in his chest. Despite being one of the youngest people ever diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma with no viable treatment options at the time, we didn’t give up. He fought like a champ through hardcore chemotherapy and radiation to most of his body, multiple surgeries, central lines, being severely immunocompromised with multiple infections and bouts of sepsis, clinical trials, and being admitted to the hospital three weeks out of every month. My mother planned his funeral five times, and our entire family was changed to the core from that experience. The fact that Matt survived proves he is a living miracle. We've prayed he would never go through cancer again.

 

 

Unfortunately, cancer has decided to make an appearance again. In September 2021, Matthew was diagnosed with Nodular Lymphocytic Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma (NLPHL), a rare blood cancer that is a subtype of Hodgkin Lymphoma. On top of that, he has an even more rare CD15 protein expression, which further complicates his diagnosis. This cancer is usually slow-growing. However, it suddenly became active in December and has spread from just being in lymph nodes in his chest to the lymph nodes in his armpits, collarbone areas, and up both sides of his neck. Matt is currently receiving treatment at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy Clinic. He will have radiation beams treating him from his jaw down to about the middle of his lungs. It is a complex map they have to plan out. He will receive proton radiation therapy five days per week for a total of 15 treatments. The side effects of his radiation will be very tough (this is the third time he is receiving radiation in his lifetime) and are expected to become much worse when the treatments are done and last up to six months. 

 

 

 

My mother, a Nurse Practioner, has been fighting non-stop to make sure Matthew gets the best treatment available, while she puts off her own total knee replacement for the time being. Unfortunately, she cannot work due to her knee injury and the time she spends taking care of Matt, going to appointments, and coordinating his care and meds. She has been living off her savings which is quickly running out and has no other source of income.

 

 

 

If you have ever had a family member go through cancer treatment, you know a lot is going on emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially. Matthew truly is a one-in-a-million cancer patient, which means he has to be seen by the top doctors in the world. On top of that, he is unable to work full-time and spends 2+ hours a day driving to his appointments (sometimes twice per day). As a result, bills are piling up, and our family could use some help. The money raised by this GoFundMe will assist with medical co-pays, transportation, uncovered medications and supplies, food expenses, and day to day bills during Matt’s radiation and post-radiation care. Would you consider donating to help Matt during his treatment?