Run for Matthew: << Meet Matthew >>

Sunday, April 21, 2013

<< Meet Matthew >>


Matthew (Matt) McComb:

  • born 15 years ago, in 1997
  • healthy baby boy, very proud parents

The Early Years

Right after Matt turned 18 months old, his pediatrician noticed there was something different about our baby boy.  He suggested that we have him tested. We took him to a pediatric neurologist who diagnosed him with PDD (Pervasive Development Disorder), a form of Autism. Immediately, we started Matt in a daily early intervention program.  We were scared.

Little Milestones

At first they weren’t sure if Matt would ever speak.  With intensive therapy (speech, occupational, ABA, etc.) he eventually overcame that life-giving hurdle. We felt that it was the happiest day of our lives when for the first time he finally said “Momma, Dada”!  But this was not the end of the road for Matt.  At the age of three he began to attend school at the Volunteers of America Early Learning Center, where he received two more years of therapy.  
Present Day Survivor

Well today, not only does Matt speak, but he sings, acts and is AMAZING.  Matt is well loved by everyone. He has beaten the odds and is doing great. He is a sophomore at New Dorp High School with a 90% average. Matt has a strong belief and faith in God. Matt is a “survivor” (I guess you can say he takes after his mom, Michele, who is a three year breast cancer survivor).  

Matt also “survived” Hurricane Sandy, which hit and devastated several costal regions in the NYC area in October 2012.  At this time, he personally lost all his possessions (his room, clothes, video games, scripts, yearbooks, baby books, photos, awards, etc.)  

Challenged Again

More than any 15 year old should have to bear, Matt is now facing yet another “obstacle” in his life. He has just been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and must undergo treatments of chemotherapy. As you can imagine, we are in shock.  We just found out and will be heading to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center tomorrow to have PET and CT Scans and meet his doctors.  No place any parent would want to bring their child.
We know the next year is going to be extremely hard, emotionally and financially. We are still struggling after Hurricane Sandy, which we thought was the worst experience of our lives. We were wrong, this is. We need all your prayers for our beautiful and extraordinary son, who has brought so much joy to so many people. He has graced the stage in many roles: Sky Masterson (Guys and Dolls), Reverend Shaw Moore (Footloose); Curly (Oklahoma), Leading Player (Pippin), Teyve (Fiddler on the Roof), Old Joe (Damn Yankees) to name a few.

Now our Matt must take his most important role - to be strong, fight the cancer, overcome the odds and be a “survivor” once again.  

**We are so grateful to Natalie. She is a wonderful person and this blog is one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for us.**

**Also, if you are looking at this via mobile device or app you have to view the web version to see the donate button over on the right sidebar. Thanks again, and lets help Matthew beat cancer!**

8 comments:

  1. I'm a friend of Matthew's from school, and I literally just found this out today. Please Matt, be a survivor!

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  2. Matthew McComb is an amazing, wonderful teen and a close friend of my son. We have know the McComb family since pre-school years and it breaks our heart to hear the new Obstacle and Challenge our dear friend is facing. We will be strong, positive and pray for Matty and his family. We love you dearly and we will be there for you and help you to fight this battle! My FB friends and family, please read about our dear friend story and keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Any help is so graciously appreciated. Please see link below.
    We Love you Matthew McComb.

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  3. Matthew and the whole McComb family - we are praying for you and wish the very best for you all! You are loved so much!

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  4. Matthew,

    It has been an absolute pleasure speaking with you at the last two I.S. 24 performances and hearing how well you are doing at NDHS. Please believe that I wish I had your stamina and energy when I was your age as you are an inspiration of hope in the face of adversity. We are thinking of you and your wonderful family.
    Looking forward to speaking with you again at your next visit.

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  5. Hi Matthew, I hope you remember your 8th grade Math teacher. I could never forget you...an amazing, gifted, talented and bright young man. My prayers are with you and your family. I know you will come out of this a stronger person. My best to you always.
    Love, Mrs. Corsello

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  6. Hi Matthew and family, you don't know me but I work at New Dorp H.S. I am so sorry that life is so unpredictable it takes us up and down, but there is someone that will walk you through it all and that is JESUS. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Ask Him for strength and understanding just by praying in His name the Father in heaven will hear you. May God give you all His peace!

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  8. Our prayers are with you Matthew!We dont know u much but we know that you are a strong young boy who would never give up. miss your funny talks in church.
    God is with you!

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