Mateo’s Story — 7 Months With Our Little

My name is Karen , and I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my sister Melissa as we face the unimaginable loss of our sweet Mateo.

From the moment Mateo was born on april 2 2025 at only 24 weeks and 4 days, he was taken straight to the NICU, where he spent every single one of his 7 months of life. He never got the chance to come home, but the NICU became his world — and he became the heart of everyone who cared for him. Mateo fought battles most adults could never endure. He faced surgeries, infections, breathing struggles, setbacks, and countless moments where all we could do was pray and hold onto hope.

Even with all the tubes and machines surrounding him, Mateo still showed us who he was. He gripped his mama’s finger with so much strength. He reacted to her voice. His little eyebrows would lift when he heard familiar sounds. He fought with a courage far bigger than his tiny body. Mateo was love. Mateo was strength. Mateo was ours.

For 7 months, my sister stood by his side every single day, loving him, fighting with him, and holding onto him through every high and low. On November 26th, 2025 Mateo gained his wings and took his last breath in his mother’s arms. Our hearts broke in a way we will never recover from. No parent should ever have to walk out of the hospital without their baby.

I am starting this GoFundMe to help relieve some of the financial pressure on my sister as she tries to navigate this unbearable grief — including funeral costs, getting back on her feet and the medical expenses that come after such a long and difficult journey . Anything you are able to give will help us honor Mateo with the love, dignity, and peace he deserves.

Mateo may have only known the NICU, but his impact reached far beyond those walls. He touched our entire family. He touched the nurses and doctors who cared for him. He touched everyone who prayed for him. His strength and his spirit will live on forever.

Thank you for helping us hold Melissa up during the darkest moment of her life. And thank you for honoring our sweet Mateo’s beautiful and brave journey.

With love,

Melissa & Family