Matthew, often known as Matty, is a typical 14-year-old who listens to hip-hop music, plays video games, and prefers pizza, sushi, or a Black Forest cake with chocolate and cherry filling.
Matty’s true interest is baseball, which he shared with his great grandfather, who died three years ago. He is an avid
fan of the Toronto Blue Jays and participates in the sport himself. Matty mustered the bravery to pitch in his final
Little League game, in the spring of 2021. Matty knocked out the first two hitters in six pitches, and when the third
batter hit the ball, he threw to first and got him out. When it was his turn at home plate, Matty drove two runs in and
scored himself. His mother, Tamara, felt it was the best game he has ever played.
That game’s energy inspired Matty to fight through his diagnosis of rare brain cancer that summer. Matty even
christened his tumor “Jack Sass” and assured his mother and father, Chris, that he was tough and would “kick it”.
Matty underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, multiple operations, and four weeks of radiation. Matty was unable
to walk or sit up after surgery to remove 80% of his tumor, and he had to relearn how to swallow and speak. During
the closing ceremonies of his Little League, he received the Most Inspirational Player award.
Matty is currently in Grade 9 and in his first year of high school. “He is working hard with his physio to slowly be
able to do the things he did before,” Tamara went on to say. “He still has a long road ahead of him and we are
learning patience.”
Matty’s first objective is to get back on the baseball diamond, and on May 15th, he’ll throw the first pitch at a Toronto
Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre! Matty will swing that arm again, this time with his parents and younger sister
Kinsley by his side. Memories of his final game helped him get through his diagnosis and treatment, so it’s hardly
surprising he wanted to play ball!
Hope is crucial for children with serious diseases, and granting wishes like Matty’s unlocks its transformative power. Together, we can continue to change people’s lives, one wish at a time.
