Benefit Dinner for teen with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

As a parent, one of the worst things I can imagine is having to watch a child fight a disease you can do nothing about. Hearing about another family’s struggle with a life threatening illness makes you realize what the most important things in life are, family being number one.

My cousin’s cousin has been organizing and planning a benefit dinner for a local teen who is right now fighting cancer. She is really putting her heart into trying to help this young boy and his family. Here is his story.

Matthew Myers was diagnosed on August 27, 2011, at the age of 14 with “ALL” also know as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Matt’s only complaints were that it was hard to breath and his back hurt. No one expected the results of the emergency room visit the day of his diagnosis. They expected allergies, asthma attack, or pneumonia. 

ALL is a type of cancer that begins in the bone marrow. The overall risk of getting ALL is small for children and adults. However, ALL remains the most common type of cancer in children under age 15. The risk of getting adult ALL increases in people aged 50 years and older.

 Matt is currently undergoing Chemotherapy 4 times a week as well as blood transfusions and multiple surgeries at Children’s Hospital of UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. His treatment will last almost three years, and he may become a candidate for a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.

Matt is a son, a grandson and a loving brother of seven siblings both older and younger. His mother, Fran is a graduate and Alumni of Saegertown High.

Matt has been an active ninth grader at his High School, where he plays the trumpet in the band. He enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as hunting, fishing, eating, crocheting and cheering on his favorite football team, the Steelers. 

With your love, support and continued prayers Matt will be able to kick ALL and live a happy and healthy life.

I’m hoping by sharing this on my blog I can try to help get the word out to anyone who might be able to help by either purchasing tickets and attending the benefit dinner or by donating items or donations for the Chinese Auction and 50/50 drawings. Monetary donations can be made at any PNC Bank. Please reference “Benefit for Matthew Myers”. All donation proceeds will go towards the ongoing expenses of Matthew and his family while they are going through this difficult time.

Thank you so much for anything you can do, even if it’s just to pass this information on so that perhaps someone who can help will see it.