Matt Montaldo's Fight for Life
Donation protected
Matt was first diagnosed with stage-4 stomach cancer two years ago at the age of 35, he underwent intensive cycles of chemotherapy, and additionally took part in clinical trials for drugs in the US. The combination chemotherapy and one drug called Herceptin had a positive effect on Matt’s health and resulted in clear scans for the past two years.
Unfortunately, the drug that originally shrunk the tumours so well is no longer effective as the cancer has grown while he has been undergoing regular treatment. This is an extremely aggressive tumour and the cancer has quickly progressed to stage 4 within weeks. As the cancer grew quickly and was diagnosed late (common with gastric cancer) there is no option for doctors to remove the stomach through surgery to remove the cancer. Matt is in a desperate short window to make something happen and has gone through intensive radiation with results not yet known but the radiation has cauterised his existing ulcer which is good news for weight gain. Matt is down to 56 kgs (123 lbs) and has just started eating solid food again and attempting to build his strength in preparation for chemotherapy and other treatments.
On the 14th of October Matt will be heading to Thailand to start an intensive 6 week chemotherapy and integrative medicine treatment regime, and will have access to specialists and facilities dedicated to this type of treatment. Once Matt finishes the 6 weeks of treatment he will board a plane for Houston to go to MD Anderson for what he hopes is a multi-week plan with experimental drugs vs. "the cancer has progressed too far and all we can do is chemo".
Faced with no other choice Matt’s best chance of long term survival involves not only mainstream treatments but also radical integrative medicine, unfortunately many of these therapies are extremely expensive even before factoring in travel and everyday living costs. Last time this occurred Matt used every dollar he had participating in trials around the world to save himself.
Time is of the essence. We want to support Matt and his wife Anna as much as possible and help ease their financial burden. Any amount that you are able to contribute will mean a lot to Matt.
We will use this platform to keep you all up to date.
Thank you
Unfortunately, the drug that originally shrunk the tumours so well is no longer effective as the cancer has grown while he has been undergoing regular treatment. This is an extremely aggressive tumour and the cancer has quickly progressed to stage 4 within weeks. As the cancer grew quickly and was diagnosed late (common with gastric cancer) there is no option for doctors to remove the stomach through surgery to remove the cancer. Matt is in a desperate short window to make something happen and has gone through intensive radiation with results not yet known but the radiation has cauterised his existing ulcer which is good news for weight gain. Matt is down to 56 kgs (123 lbs) and has just started eating solid food again and attempting to build his strength in preparation for chemotherapy and other treatments.
On the 14th of October Matt will be heading to Thailand to start an intensive 6 week chemotherapy and integrative medicine treatment regime, and will have access to specialists and facilities dedicated to this type of treatment. Once Matt finishes the 6 weeks of treatment he will board a plane for Houston to go to MD Anderson for what he hopes is a multi-week plan with experimental drugs vs. "the cancer has progressed too far and all we can do is chemo".
Faced with no other choice Matt’s best chance of long term survival involves not only mainstream treatments but also radical integrative medicine, unfortunately many of these therapies are extremely expensive even before factoring in travel and everyday living costs. Last time this occurred Matt used every dollar he had participating in trials around the world to save himself.
Time is of the essence. We want to support Matt and his wife Anna as much as possible and help ease their financial burden. Any amount that you are able to contribute will mean a lot to Matt.
We will use this platform to keep you all up to date.
Thank you
Organizer
Matthias Montaldo
Organizer
Melbourne VIC