Donation protected
My name is Eric Rauh and I am writing on behalf of Dominique Kriara, the now widow of one of my best friends and all-around favorite people, Matthew Kriara Peterson. As many of you know, Matt passed away on December 28, 2014. Matt has been a friend of mine for more than 16 years, almost half of my life.
During Matt's senoir year at Licoln Highschool, only a year or so after we first met, he began having intense headaches along with bouts of dizziness, nausea and loss of balance. After going to the doctor and undergoing various tests, he was given news that would alter the course of his life. Matt was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a serious brain tumor. This type of tumor is extrmely aggressive, even with surgery, chemotherepy and other various treatments. There is a five year survival rate for those who have a glioblastoma tumor, and the success rate is less than 10%. The fact that Matt was able to fight this cancer for 15 years is miraculous. Over those years, he endured four brain surgeries and many rounds of chemotherpy and radiation, all in the hopes of containing his tumor and giving him an opportunity to live a somewhat normal life. Matt never buckled under the weight of his misfortune. He chose instead to appreciate everyday that he had. His funeral service being packed tight with so many who loved him is a true testement to the power of positive energy, strenth and the timeless quality of his character. Matt was loved because he was so loving.
When I moved back home to Portland, Oregon during the summer of 2011, it had been a few years since I had last seen Matt. We wasted no time in catching up and before long, we found a house to rent and became roomates. Matt was in some of the best shape, mentally and physically, that I had ever seen him. There was an exuberance about him that was unmistakable. The house we moved into was not in the best shape, in fact it wasn't what I would call "move in ready." We saw the potential, however, and worked out a deal with the landlord to have our rent reduced in exchange for fixing the place up. First on our list was painting the living room. It was on the first of many trips to Miller Paint that Matt would strike up a conversation and make a connection with a beautiful young woman who worked there. Her name was Dominique, known to her friends simply as Dom. From very early on, it was obvious that their relationship was special. After only a few months of dating, they seemed as if they had known each other their entire lives. Several months into their relationship Matt began to show troubling signs that his tumor had grown to a size that would require attention, another round of surgery and chemo was imminent. I remember how nervous he was about telling Dom. Things were going so well, the two of them had completely fallen in love and now Matt had to tell her that everything was about to dramatically change. He thought the news of his cancer would drive her away, little did he know how wrong he was.
Dom knew what she was signing up for when Matt first told her of his circumstances. At the very least, she knew it wasn't going to be easy. The one thing she was promised was love, affection and lots of laughter. That was all she needed and when Matt proposed less then a year after they first met, she accepted without hesitation. Matt often said that his wedding was one of the greatest, most beautiful day's of his life. Friends and family all gathered together in celebration of what is greatest in life, unconditional love. Over the last few months, watching his health deteriorate and his mind tire, I couldn't help but think that despite how tragic the situation, Matt was blessed. He had friends and family who loved and cared for him so much...and he had Dom, his best friend, the love of his life.
Dom was not only a blessing to Matt but also to those who loved him. To us. We took great comfort in knowing that with Dom by his side, Matt was in good hands. She was a gift. A way for the universe to restore some sort of balance, making a tragic situation just a little bit less so. I have been in awe of her strength and resilience. Throughout their time spent together, she has been completely selfless, always putting Matt first. She gave him comfort and hope, always believing that somehow, someway, Matt would overcome and beat his cancer. When Matt made the final decision to forgo another round of chemo and instead live out the rest of his life, not in a hospital but in the comfort of his home, Dom was there by his side around the clock. She played the role of nurse, of friend, companion and of loving wife. From the time that Matt first shared with her the news of his illness to the moment he drew his last breath she was there with him, unwavering in her committment. She was everything that Matt deserved and now at the age of 28 she is a widow.
The real world of everyday life is unsympathetic to those who have lost, to those who greive. Bills will continue to arrive in the mail, deadlines can be extended only so far. Dom has to put the pieces of her life back together, and move forward in a healthy and hopeful way. Unfortunately, Matt was unable to work for more than 2 years leading up to his death, during which time he relied on a monthly disability check for $800. Dom worked a full time job at Miller Paint during part of that time but had to seek out part time work closer to their home as Matt began to need more and more assistance. The bottom line, more money was going out than was coming in. Dom was not able to save money and prepare for the aftermath. She was totally focussed and committed to her husband, and did not take the time or energy to think much about her life without him. While he was alive, her life was Matt. There was no life insurance policy, so she has not received any survivor benefits. She is on her own.
What Dom truly deserves is more time with her husband. What she doesn't deserve is to now have to transition into her new life under the weight of financial burden, unsure of how she will be able to make ends meet. By contributing to this fund we will be able to, at the very least, offer Dom some peace of mind, a sense of security and stability. We will be able to give her some time to grieve, to reflect and to regroup.
Thank you all so much for the support.
During Matt's senoir year at Licoln Highschool, only a year or so after we first met, he began having intense headaches along with bouts of dizziness, nausea and loss of balance. After going to the doctor and undergoing various tests, he was given news that would alter the course of his life. Matt was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a serious brain tumor. This type of tumor is extrmely aggressive, even with surgery, chemotherepy and other various treatments. There is a five year survival rate for those who have a glioblastoma tumor, and the success rate is less than 10%. The fact that Matt was able to fight this cancer for 15 years is miraculous. Over those years, he endured four brain surgeries and many rounds of chemotherpy and radiation, all in the hopes of containing his tumor and giving him an opportunity to live a somewhat normal life. Matt never buckled under the weight of his misfortune. He chose instead to appreciate everyday that he had. His funeral service being packed tight with so many who loved him is a true testement to the power of positive energy, strenth and the timeless quality of his character. Matt was loved because he was so loving.
When I moved back home to Portland, Oregon during the summer of 2011, it had been a few years since I had last seen Matt. We wasted no time in catching up and before long, we found a house to rent and became roomates. Matt was in some of the best shape, mentally and physically, that I had ever seen him. There was an exuberance about him that was unmistakable. The house we moved into was not in the best shape, in fact it wasn't what I would call "move in ready." We saw the potential, however, and worked out a deal with the landlord to have our rent reduced in exchange for fixing the place up. First on our list was painting the living room. It was on the first of many trips to Miller Paint that Matt would strike up a conversation and make a connection with a beautiful young woman who worked there. Her name was Dominique, known to her friends simply as Dom. From very early on, it was obvious that their relationship was special. After only a few months of dating, they seemed as if they had known each other their entire lives. Several months into their relationship Matt began to show troubling signs that his tumor had grown to a size that would require attention, another round of surgery and chemo was imminent. I remember how nervous he was about telling Dom. Things were going so well, the two of them had completely fallen in love and now Matt had to tell her that everything was about to dramatically change. He thought the news of his cancer would drive her away, little did he know how wrong he was.
Dom knew what she was signing up for when Matt first told her of his circumstances. At the very least, she knew it wasn't going to be easy. The one thing she was promised was love, affection and lots of laughter. That was all she needed and when Matt proposed less then a year after they first met, she accepted without hesitation. Matt often said that his wedding was one of the greatest, most beautiful day's of his life. Friends and family all gathered together in celebration of what is greatest in life, unconditional love. Over the last few months, watching his health deteriorate and his mind tire, I couldn't help but think that despite how tragic the situation, Matt was blessed. He had friends and family who loved and cared for him so much...and he had Dom, his best friend, the love of his life.
Dom was not only a blessing to Matt but also to those who loved him. To us. We took great comfort in knowing that with Dom by his side, Matt was in good hands. She was a gift. A way for the universe to restore some sort of balance, making a tragic situation just a little bit less so. I have been in awe of her strength and resilience. Throughout their time spent together, she has been completely selfless, always putting Matt first. She gave him comfort and hope, always believing that somehow, someway, Matt would overcome and beat his cancer. When Matt made the final decision to forgo another round of chemo and instead live out the rest of his life, not in a hospital but in the comfort of his home, Dom was there by his side around the clock. She played the role of nurse, of friend, companion and of loving wife. From the time that Matt first shared with her the news of his illness to the moment he drew his last breath she was there with him, unwavering in her committment. She was everything that Matt deserved and now at the age of 28 she is a widow.
The real world of everyday life is unsympathetic to those who have lost, to those who greive. Bills will continue to arrive in the mail, deadlines can be extended only so far. Dom has to put the pieces of her life back together, and move forward in a healthy and hopeful way. Unfortunately, Matt was unable to work for more than 2 years leading up to his death, during which time he relied on a monthly disability check for $800. Dom worked a full time job at Miller Paint during part of that time but had to seek out part time work closer to their home as Matt began to need more and more assistance. The bottom line, more money was going out than was coming in. Dom was not able to save money and prepare for the aftermath. She was totally focussed and committed to her husband, and did not take the time or energy to think much about her life without him. While he was alive, her life was Matt. There was no life insurance policy, so she has not received any survivor benefits. She is on her own.
What Dom truly deserves is more time with her husband. What she doesn't deserve is to now have to transition into her new life under the weight of financial burden, unsure of how she will be able to make ends meet. By contributing to this fund we will be able to, at the very least, offer Dom some peace of mind, a sense of security and stability. We will be able to give her some time to grieve, to reflect and to regroup.
Thank you all so much for the support.
Organizer
Eric Denecke-Rauh
Organizer
Portland, OR