Mathew Donovan's Recovery Fund (Acoustic Neuroma)

Hello,

My name is Kevin, and I am Mathew's little brother. If you know my brother, you know what he does for a living. He is one of the best bartenders in Chicago at the iconic Firehouse Restaurant. I have watched him work at his craft for the last 30 years, and I can honestly say he was born to do it. The last couple of years have been tough for a great many people, but people who work in the service industry have been impacted to a far greater degree than any other industry. Just as things have started to return to normal, Mathew received the news that no one wants to ever hear. Mathew has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor is called an Acoustic Neuroma (vestibular schwannoma), a very rare tumor that forms between the brain stem and the inner ear. He has lost his hearing in his right ear and had severe headaches for months now. The good news is that he will have surgery to remove the 4cm tumor at the beginning of August by one of the best surgeons in the country. There is a chance that Mathew will need additional surgeries in order to be able to return to the work that he loves. What we are asking for is help with Mathew's financial recovery. In total, he will miss about 12 to 14 weeks of work. Unfortunately, the State of Illinois does not have a short-term medical disability program. All donations will go directly to Mathew to help pay for medical bills, housing costs, food, and other living expenses. Mathew is one of the most generous people I have ever been around, and now we have the opportunity to be there for him at such a crucial and scary moment in his life.