Mattie is one of the strongest, driven, most tenacious and inspiring young women out there. She was just 19 years old when she moved into her own apartment, which she managed solely on her own. In the same year she bought her first car with a hefty down payment she saved over 2 years while working two jobs. Now 20 yrs old, Mattie’s independence is paramount to most things for her; it’s really everything. It’s something she had to sacrifice and work hard for, and discipline herself for years to accomplish. It is also a great source of pride for her.

In early May 2024, Mattie was diagnosed with stage II Nodular Sclerosing Hodgkins Lymphoma (NSHL). She started chemotherapy a week after her diagnosis in mid-May. As of the day this was written, she has undergone 2 infusions. As she works in the service industry, her normal duties are already proving too taxing to continue working either of her jobs. Instead of worrying about the usual, like hair loss and depleting energy levels, she’s worried most about all her hard work and efforts being for nothing and having to start from scratch, and only then after she completes treatment at the end of this year.

Her independence was hard-won and not something she is ready to give up. We’re asking for help to fund not only her medical expenses for her care at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, but also her independence (in the form of rent, utilities, car payment, insurance coverage, groceries, etc.). Funds will go directly toward these purposes only and any excess funds will be donated to The Jimmy Fund: https://www.jimmyfund.org/about-us/about-the-jimmy-fund/.

Your contribution, no matter the amount, will make a significant difference in Mattie's journey. Thank you so very much for considering a donation.