If you know Matt, you know he constantly puts others before himself. Even right now, laying in a hospital bed incredibly weak and ill, he is thinking about others and not himself. But he needs us to put him first now.

Matt is battling a sudden and very serious illness that has severely damaged his heart and has put him in heart failure. After being treated in two different hospitals in Buffalo, he was transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester where he underwent surgery to have a LVAD (left ventricular assist device) installed. It's a life saving device, but also a life altering device. The LVAD, an internal pump attached to his heart with external rechargeable batteries, will keep his heart working until he can get a heart transplant.

He has suffered greatly because of all this and is going to continue to endure so much more during his recovery and beyond.  He is no where near being out of the woods yet, but he's strong and fighting this as best he can (and his humor's still in tact with whatever energy he can muster). It's going to be a long and difficult recovery, but his family and friends are staying optimistic through it all. 

The medical expenses that Matt has incurred and will continue to face as he fights this are going to put such a burden on him when he's already going through so much. The device requires many changes to his lifestyle and there will be many expenses associated with it. And there's still the inevitable heart transplant in his future as well. Any help you can provide him will help lessen the burden during this life threatening situation and will be appreciated so very much. 

Matt has such a big, loving heart and we know he has the ability to overcome this. Prayers and support are appreciated to give him added strength as he fights his way through this. Matt would probably have some witty remark that would be fitting to wrap this up, but I've never been as good at that. He is the glue of our family and he has touched so many people with his generous heart and soul. We know he will continue to do so once he recovers. Until then, let's keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and help however we can.

We will keep you updated with his status when we can. Please just keep praying!

Thank you from Judy and Bill (parents), Jessica, James and Brianna (sister, brother-in-law, niece), and all of Matt's other family and friends