
Debby's third fight against breast cancer
Donation protected
Dear friends, family and kind-hearted supporters,
We are reaching out to you in hopes of support for our mother, Debby— The woman who has shown us the true meaning of resilience and sacrifice.
Debby is a devoted wife and mother to her four children and granddaughter. She has dedicated her life to caring for others as a nurse, extending help to numerous people in need.
Here is a small part of her journey:
In March of this year, after a battle with COVID, she was admitted to the hospital due to back pain. What was thought to be a short visit and easy fix ended up being a two-month-long stay. Following weeks of tests, x-rays, medications and excruciating pain, she underwent surgery for the removal of a spinal cord abscess. During her stay, she was confronted with a life-threatening staph infection known as MRSA bacteremia. The intense physical stress on her body led to a loss of mobility and coherent language, unable to fend for herself and her loved ones.
After her discharge in May 2023, she suffered a harsh reaction from a very strong antibiotic that put her into acute kidney failure and was readmitted to the hospital. Following this difficult few months, she persevered and embarked on a journey of physical therapy, frequent doctor visits and gradually started to recover.
In July 2023 she went for a routine mammogram and found that she had been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer for the third time. TNBC has fewer treatment options than other types of breast cancer and tends to grow much quicker. Due to the aggressive nature of this cancer, the treatment is also very aggressive. She will undergo rigorous sessions of chemotherapy and a mastectomy.
She was first diagnosed with TNBC in 2015 and underwent a lumpectomy, radiation, and chemotherapy. In 2017, it had come back and was treated with more surgeries and radiation. This being her third time hits a little harder. So far, this year has been physically, emotionally, spiritually, and financially demanding. But despite all of this, she has never failed to show up for her family or asked for anything in return.
We are reaching out to our community to give her the support she has always selflessly given us. Your donation would help to alleviate the financial burdens that come with her treatment and help sustain her household, bills, and past cancer treatment, which she is still paying off.
Our mom is facing a serious illness, and as her children and family, we are praying and ready to fight alongside her. Her journey is far from over and with your support we can show her she is not alone in this battle and encourage her to keep fighting. If you are not in a position to donate, sharing her story, and offering a prayer are just as appreciated.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Matikonis family
Fundraising team (3)
Katelyn Matikonis
Organizer
Middletown, DE
Matthew Matikonis
Team member
Alexandra Matikonis
Team member