Support Matt’s fight for his life - hope for a heart
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Help My Husband Fight for His Life**
My name is Catherine and I have started this fundraiser to support and give strength to my amazing husband, Matthew on his life-saving heart transplant journey.
At the end of December 2024, we were told completely unexpected news that a check-up had become an emergency admission. My husband has now been in The Prince Charles hospital for over 6 months now, every day fighting an uphill battle against severe end-stage heart failure. He is in a desperate need of a heart transplant to save his life.
Imagine now waking up each day knowing your heart is failing you, and you are having to face your mortality with time quickly running out.
As his wife I felt my whole world shatter, my heart and soul ripped apart , my mind was trying to escape the pain by believing it was just a bad dream. Somehow I kept myself together to be the support my husband needed.
His condition became so critical that doctors had no choice but to perform open-heart surgery in January to fit a mechanical heart pump (LVAD) to the left side of his heart—just to keep him alive long enough for a transplant. This device pumps blood through his body, but it comes with serious risks and requires constant monitoring and specialised care.
We are hoping to raise funds to help cover the overwhelming expenses involved in his ongoing care, during this critical time. Having to cope with reduced income and the mounting costs has put us in severe financial hardship. I needed to learn all the critical aspects to being his carer in ways I never expected due to his specialised care and treatments.
Donations will be used for
- travel expenses to the hospital that is an hours drive each way a couple of times each week
- household bills
- increasing rent
- everyday living expenses
- MOST IMPORTANTLY medical equipment and supplies we need to purchase for when he comes home.
Your kindness and generosity will make a huge profound difference in this life-saving journey. Please know that any donation, even $5, $10 not only helps financially but also gives us the strength to keep going, gives us hope and is a reminder thst even in the darkest times, light can shine through.
Each day presents challenges and obstacles. He faces ongoing complications, and an increasing amount of subsequent issues, strain on other organs as his heart continues to deteriorate. Despite everything, he continues to fight courageously. But his body is weak, his mind is exhausted and I can only imagine the weight of the emotional turmoil he must be experiencing, I see the deep pain in his eyes. He still can’t even walk unaided, but he keeps fighting—because that’s who he is. He doesn’t quit.I am so proud of his courage and determination.
Despite every effort possible we can no longer keep up. I never imagined I would have to ask for help like this. But for him I will do anything.
Matthew needs to focus on healing without added stress and issues. I’m trying to protect him and carry the burden myself as he would do if the roles were reversed. I do my best to hold onto hope but the stress is unimaginable.
For many years Matthew has carried the weight of his heart condition in silence, refusing to let it affect anyone else. Never complaining and never asking for help just adapting to his restrictions and difficulties.
Everyone that knows him, knows he pours his energy into helping others, always the first to lend a hand, offer support, or simply being there when someone needs him. Whether it was physical help, even if he struggled with it, emotional encouragement, sharing his experiences to help others or even giving his last dollar to someone in need. He could always be relied upon. His generosity has been tested, even taken advantage of but he didn’t let it change him.
Now he needs the same kindness in return.
I’ve also had to admit that though I’m not the one in hospital, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. Watching someone you love suffer so much and for so long is so incredibly difficult and heartbreaking that words can’t even begin to describe. I am exhausted mentally and physically. However I always do my best to stay strong and positive. I am always so very grateful to still have this time
This journey has been devastating, yet eye-opening. We’ve learned that life is fragile, that nothing should ever be taken for granted. Moments that once felt ordinary—holding hands, sharing laughter, simply being together—now carry a depth we never truly understood before.
Through this, we have also seen incredible kindness—the selflessness of friends, family, and even strangers who remind us that there is still so much good in the world. We are grateful to still have a chance—to fight, to hope, to believe that better days are ahead.
Even just **sharing this story** makes a difference. Please consider donating or sharing:
https://gofund.me/e5bc8457
When there is ever a chance for us to pay kindness forward, we do so without hesitation.
Your support and generosity mean everything to us. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us in this fight. We are forever grateful
My name is Catherine and I have started this fundraiser to support and give strength to my amazing husband, Matthew on his life-saving heart transplant journey.
At the end of December 2024, we were told completely unexpected news that a check-up had become an emergency admission. My husband has now been in The Prince Charles hospital for over 6 months now, every day fighting an uphill battle against severe end-stage heart failure. He is in a desperate need of a heart transplant to save his life.
Imagine now waking up each day knowing your heart is failing you, and you are having to face your mortality with time quickly running out.
As his wife I felt my whole world shatter, my heart and soul ripped apart , my mind was trying to escape the pain by believing it was just a bad dream. Somehow I kept myself together to be the support my husband needed.
His condition became so critical that doctors had no choice but to perform open-heart surgery in January to fit a mechanical heart pump (LVAD) to the left side of his heart—just to keep him alive long enough for a transplant. This device pumps blood through his body, but it comes with serious risks and requires constant monitoring and specialised care.
We are hoping to raise funds to help cover the overwhelming expenses involved in his ongoing care, during this critical time. Having to cope with reduced income and the mounting costs has put us in severe financial hardship. I needed to learn all the critical aspects to being his carer in ways I never expected due to his specialised care and treatments.
Donations will be used for
- travel expenses to the hospital that is an hours drive each way a couple of times each week
- household bills
- increasing rent
- everyday living expenses
- MOST IMPORTANTLY medical equipment and supplies we need to purchase for when he comes home.
Your kindness and generosity will make a huge profound difference in this life-saving journey. Please know that any donation, even $5, $10 not only helps financially but also gives us the strength to keep going, gives us hope and is a reminder thst even in the darkest times, light can shine through.
Each day presents challenges and obstacles. He faces ongoing complications, and an increasing amount of subsequent issues, strain on other organs as his heart continues to deteriorate. Despite everything, he continues to fight courageously. But his body is weak, his mind is exhausted and I can only imagine the weight of the emotional turmoil he must be experiencing, I see the deep pain in his eyes. He still can’t even walk unaided, but he keeps fighting—because that’s who he is. He doesn’t quit.I am so proud of his courage and determination.
Despite every effort possible we can no longer keep up. I never imagined I would have to ask for help like this. But for him I will do anything.
Matthew needs to focus on healing without added stress and issues. I’m trying to protect him and carry the burden myself as he would do if the roles were reversed. I do my best to hold onto hope but the stress is unimaginable.
For many years Matthew has carried the weight of his heart condition in silence, refusing to let it affect anyone else. Never complaining and never asking for help just adapting to his restrictions and difficulties.
Everyone that knows him, knows he pours his energy into helping others, always the first to lend a hand, offer support, or simply being there when someone needs him. Whether it was physical help, even if he struggled with it, emotional encouragement, sharing his experiences to help others or even giving his last dollar to someone in need. He could always be relied upon. His generosity has been tested, even taken advantage of but he didn’t let it change him.
Now he needs the same kindness in return.
I’ve also had to admit that though I’m not the one in hospital, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever faced. Watching someone you love suffer so much and for so long is so incredibly difficult and heartbreaking that words can’t even begin to describe. I am exhausted mentally and physically. However I always do my best to stay strong and positive. I am always so very grateful to still have this time
This journey has been devastating, yet eye-opening. We’ve learned that life is fragile, that nothing should ever be taken for granted. Moments that once felt ordinary—holding hands, sharing laughter, simply being together—now carry a depth we never truly understood before.
Through this, we have also seen incredible kindness—the selflessness of friends, family, and even strangers who remind us that there is still so much good in the world. We are grateful to still have a chance—to fight, to hope, to believe that better days are ahead.
Even just **sharing this story** makes a difference. Please consider donating or sharing:
https://gofund.me/e5bc8457
When there is ever a chance for us to pay kindness forward, we do so without hesitation.
Your support and generosity mean everything to us. Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing with us in this fight. We are forever grateful
Organizer
Catherine Bell
Organizer
Arundel, QLD