Just Breathe - A Fundraising Event For Matt
Donation protected
What is this fundraiser for?
Since the start of 2018, Matt has been in the hospital approximately 135 days due to loss in lung function. Matt was born with CF and has faced many challenges throughout his life and is now waiting for a double lung, liver and possibly pancreas transplant. Because of the strain this has put on his body, and the countless Toronto appointments, Matt has had to take an unpaid leave from work since mid-July.
What is cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF causes various affects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of severity differs from person to person; however, the persistence of infection in the lungs causes destruction of lungs and loss of lung function, eventually leading to death in the majority of people with CF. There is currently no cure.
How does the transplant process work?
Matt was put on the list for transplant mid-November, but due to other complications, he was put on hold for a month. During this time, they discovered that Matt also has papillary thyroid cancer. He was put back on this list on December 16, once a plan was agreed upon by his team. While on the list, patients are required to do physiotherapy for an hour and a half, three days a week, at Toronto General Hospital. He is also followed up by his CF team, when he isn’t admitted, once a week. His transplant team is looking for the perfect set of lungs and liver, from the same donor. The donor must match Matt’s blood type and body size. Once this perfect match is found, we will get a call and get prepared for an approximately 17 hour surgery. Post-transplant, if all goes well, Matt should be released after 2-3 weeks. He will have to continue his physiotherapy appointments for three months post-transplant. At this point, Matt should be stable enough to go into surgery to remove his thyroid. From there, hopefully all hiccups are out of the way and Matt can start living his life normally again!
Where will the money go?
The money raised at this fundraiser will help Matt cover some of the losses from his job, so he can continue to keep up with expenses such as rent, home bills, groceries etc. It will also help his parents pay for a hotel/ temporary condo in Toronto so they can visit and help take care of Matt post-transplant.
Since the start of 2018, Matt has been in the hospital approximately 135 days due to loss in lung function. Matt was born with CF and has faced many challenges throughout his life and is now waiting for a double lung, liver and possibly pancreas transplant. Because of the strain this has put on his body, and the countless Toronto appointments, Matt has had to take an unpaid leave from work since mid-July.
What is cystic fibrosis (CF)?
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF causes various affects on the body, but mainly affects the digestive system and lungs. The degree of severity differs from person to person; however, the persistence of infection in the lungs causes destruction of lungs and loss of lung function, eventually leading to death in the majority of people with CF. There is currently no cure.
How does the transplant process work?
Matt was put on the list for transplant mid-November, but due to other complications, he was put on hold for a month. During this time, they discovered that Matt also has papillary thyroid cancer. He was put back on this list on December 16, once a plan was agreed upon by his team. While on the list, patients are required to do physiotherapy for an hour and a half, three days a week, at Toronto General Hospital. He is also followed up by his CF team, when he isn’t admitted, once a week. His transplant team is looking for the perfect set of lungs and liver, from the same donor. The donor must match Matt’s blood type and body size. Once this perfect match is found, we will get a call and get prepared for an approximately 17 hour surgery. Post-transplant, if all goes well, Matt should be released after 2-3 weeks. He will have to continue his physiotherapy appointments for three months post-transplant. At this point, Matt should be stable enough to go into surgery to remove his thyroid. From there, hopefully all hiccups are out of the way and Matt can start living his life normally again!
Where will the money go?
The money raised at this fundraiser will help Matt cover some of the losses from his job, so he can continue to keep up with expenses such as rent, home bills, groceries etc. It will also help his parents pay for a hotel/ temporary condo in Toronto so they can visit and help take care of Matt post-transplant.
Organizer
Grace VP
Organizer
Chatham, ON
