Matt needs our support in his fight with cancer

Recently, Matt Stamey started his battle with cancer — stage 3 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Anyone who has met Matt knows he always shows up with a smile and a can-do attitude, which is exactly how he is approaching the biggest fight of his life.

This battle will be a marathon, an analogy that is often overused, however, it seems particularly appropriate to use here. The reason it is so fitting is because marathon training allowed for early detection of the lymphoma. Just a few weeks after running in the Chicago Marathon in the fall, Matt found it difficult to accomplish the most mundane daily tasks. The extreme change in condition alerted doctors that something was off. Matt was placed on a fast track of testing to discover the news of his cancer diagnosis.

This rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma required immediate action, with chemo starting days later. As the chemo began to do its work, Matt found his strength and started his journey down this long road. On New Year’s Day, Matt set the goal to run, walk, or crawl at least one mile per day. His first day was a struggle; just two months after running 8:20 per mile for 26.2 miles, Matt clawed his way to a 15-minute mile. From there, Matt continues to build back his strength.

As anyone who knows him would attest, he is the quintessential K-State fan. In fact, his motto for his battle with cancer? “Fighting ever fighting for a Wildcat victory.” A line from K-State’s fight song – a song he could sing as soon as he could talk. This time, though, the Wildcat in the fight is Stamey himself.

Fortunately, Matt has many fans – friends, and family with a desire to do all we can to support him and lessen his burden in as many ways as possible so he has one task alone; to focus on the main fight — the one for his health. It’s time to show Matt the same kind of support he has shown his friends and family his whole life.

Unfortunately, cancer’s burden doesn’t stop with symptoms and treatments. The financial cost is just as unfair. Our system of healthcare is both a blessing and a curse. Matt will be relying on the good work of great doctors and nurses as he follows their plan to recovery, yet at the same time he will face a gauntlet of red tape, bills and paperwork. Why should all this be his burden to carry? He did nothing to deserve cancer. It was a random selection. Chance. Almost like a lottery, though not one you want to win.

Helping financially, even in small increments, chips away at that weight. Spread across enough of us, we can help bear a big portion of his burden.

You might also know Matt from his incredible career as a photographer. What you might not know is that since his diagnosis, he has had to cut out freelance work, which he relies on for a significant portion of his annual income. This loss of a revenue source comes at the same time as mounting medical bills and uncertainty in the road ahead. We must pitch in and help him shoulder this burden. Matt would do the same for any of us.

I would urge each of you to visit his website. Each image bears his mark, showcasing his style and flair for life. https://mattstamey.photoshelter.com/index

Thank you for showing Matt how much you care. Your contributions and support truly make a difference.

Together, we can join Matt in Fighting Ever Fighting for a Wildcat Victory.