Marathoning for Matt

In 2008 I lost a dear friend, Matt Impett, at the age of 30 to acute myeloid leukemia. During the 2 1/2 years that he was sick, he underwent numerous kinds of treatment and changes in his prognosis. Throughout it all, he maintained the generous, inspiring, humorous and positive attitude that was part of what made him such a good friend in the first place. I think that I can speak for many when I say that his presence in my life before, during and after his illness has provided me with hope, laughter and an appreciation for living in the present and enjoying life to the fullest.

Years ago, Matt was one of the first people I knew to suggest running a marathon (I admit to thinking it was just one of his rather insane schemes at the time). So it seems like a natural platform to raise money for this cause. I think he'd approve...  My goal this year is to raise $200 per mile (for a total of $5,240).

This one's for you, monkey!

About the Team Mateo fund

One of the things that helped Matt and those close to him through the difficult years of his illness was the fact that he was surrounded by the support of so many friends and family throughout. When he had to relocate to Minneapolis, Minnesota to receive a cord blood transplant, he left his life in Maryland and Washington, D.C. behind to do so. The fact that members of his family could take time from their lives to be with him there on a day-to-day basis during the most intense phases of his treatment, and that many others were able to travel to pay visits made a profound impact on his health and attitude during that time.

The sacrifices made by caregivers when a loved one falls ill are of the utmost importance, and are often prohibitively difficult to make. It's rare that someone can put their life on hold for an unpredictable amount of time, and the expenses for travel, transportation and day-to-day needs while a loved one is sick are difficult to cover for many families.

Matt's widow, Ellen Kittredge, and I did a previous marathon fundraiser two years ago; together we were able to raise over $15,000, which went towards starting the Team Mateo fund for familes and caregivers in need. This fund, through the Blood & Marrow Transfer Information Network (www.BMTinfonet.org), is designated to help those caregivers through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives.
 

Read below for the stories of some of the 40 recipients of money from the fund (none of whom were able to get assistance elsewhere):

- The Mom of a 10-year-old little boy from Massachusetts was helped with gas cards and rent money.  A single parent living in public housing, she needed funds to pay their rent since she was the primary caregiver to her son and couldn't work.  In addition, she had to commute back and forth to the medical center for his lengthy hospital stay.
 
- The parents of a teenage boy in Chicago were given funds to keep the gas on in their home before it was disconnected. After their son relapsed, they did not qualify for any assistance given to pediatric patients, as he had then turned 18.
 
- The parents of a little boy in Chicago, who had a stem cell transplant, were awarded Food Store Gift Cards.  Both parents were unemployed and had a total monthly income of only $700, and they needed the funds to care for the little boy and his siblings.
 
- A family in the Midwest, who had relocated from a very small village in Africa was awarded a check to help them pay their rent, after their son was given a stem cell transplant.
 
- An adult man from Florida requested assistance for his elderly parents to care for him in the hospital, and post transplant in an area far away from their home.  He requested assistance for them with food and supplies that they were unable to afford to care for him. Their resources were all going towards finding and paying for housing near the transplant center.

We, and the eventual recipients of these funds, are eternally grateful for your contribution! It will make a profound difference, and serves as a legacy to the memory of Matt's generosity and spirit.
Thank you!

-Lissa Anderson and Ellen Kittredge

 p.s. We've been hearing from the folks at BMTinfonet that the need for these funds now is higher than ever, so your gift really does make a difference and will be given directly to those most in need.