Over the past year, Mattie’s VP shunt—implanted to save her life—has malfunctioned multiple times. In December, one of these malfunctions led to a four-day stay in the Neuro ICU.

Her neurosurgeons at UCSF consulted with her team in Boston and determined that if the shunt failed again, surgery to replace it would be necessary.

Mattie has been out of work to travel back to the East Coast to consult with the neurosurgeon who knows her and her brain best. While there, her shunt malfunctioned again, meaning surgery is now unavoidable.

This will be Mattie’s sixth brain surgery. The length of her recovery is uncertain—past surgeries have ranged from being discharged the next day to needing to relearn how to walk.

If you know Mattie, you know she's one of the kindest, most caring people out there. She’s always ready to lend a hand, share a laugh, or lift someone up when they’re down. Her optimism is contagious, and no matter what she’s going through, she’s always thinking about others.

Now, Mattie is facing a tough challenge of her own — she needs brain surgery to help with her health. But if anyone can face this head-on with strength and positivity, it’s her. Mattie has always been resilient, and she’s going through this with the same determination that has inspired so many of us.

We’re setting up this GoFundMe to help her cover the costs of surgery and recovery, so she can focus on healing without worrying about the financial burden. Every little bit helps, whether it’s a donation or a message of support.

Mattie has given so much love and light to everyone around her, and now it’s our turn to show her the same kindness. Thank you for being part of her journey and helping her through this challenging time. Your support means the world to Mattie and all of us who love her.

**UPDATE**

Right now, Mattie is currently waiting on her neurosurgeon getting the shunt valve. They do not have the valve the doctors want to use at the hospital so they are asking local hospitals before they order one from the manufacturer. So for the time being, Mattie is resting and preparing for her surgery. As soon as the surgery date is set, we promise to update everyone. Thank you all again for everything.

*UPDATE* 4/8

Mattie's surgery is officially scheduled for April 25th. This is a huge step forward in our journey, and while we are filled with a mix of emotions, we are so relieved to have a date in place.

We want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who has supported us so far. Your donations, your kind words, your encouragement – it all means more than we can express. Your love has carried us through some of our toughest days, and we are beyond grateful to have such a strong community surrounding us.

As we approach the surgery date, we ask for your continued support in whatever way you can. Whether that’s through sharing our story or continuing to contribute, every little bit helps and brings us closer to Mattie's recovery.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for standing by us. We are forever grateful for your generosity and kindness. We’ll continue to keep you updated as we prepare for the surgery and beyond.