In November 2021, Matt, #MattVonStrong was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer during a routine colonoscopy. He was only given one year to survive. Cancer had spread from his colon to his liver and spleen. Matt said #fcancer and has been fighting like the warrior he is. The University of Michigan has provided him with hope and options.

He started strong, damaging, symptom-provoking chemo in December 2021. He recieved fifteen rounds of chemo. During this time he insisted on working part-time but in August 2022 he could not continue working because he had many tumors removed from the left side of his liver. After recovery, he was to have the entire right side of his liver removed but it didn't work that way. During his surgical recovery from chemo, tumors grew to dangerous areas on the right side of his liver. No surgery could be performed until the tumor could be shrunk.

He tried a few tough chemo meds with AWFUL side effects that were almost unbearable but he powered through with a smile. More scans were done in 2022 when it was determined that he should continue with chemo as it is shrinking and calcifying tumors. Matt will be working through chemo from now until mid-February.

This has been a huge financial hit. Not working at all since August. Filed for disability in August and qualified immediately. But payments won't start until February 2023. Having to pay for COBRA since not working and not having an income have become impossible! Depleting all assets to be eligible for Medicaid. Traveling back and forth to U of M is also quite expensive and has caused financial hardship, but it's his best hope for more days of life. He needs to keep afloat from now until march when he can hopefully have a steady income again.