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During a situation like this, any help you get will lessen the stress on your family and the Foundation was able to give us that assistance and ease the stress. It helped us take the financial pressure off our family during a time of enormous emotional stress, family sacrifice, and upheaval. — Matthew's dad, Philip
Above: Matthew at SickKids in Toronto before his liver transplant. Below: Matthew with his big brother, Carter.
Biliary atresia is a disease where a baby’s bile ducts don’t form properly, and bile leaks into the liver, which quickly damages it. Matthew underwent a Kasai procedure in hopes of reestablishing bile flow from the liver to the intestine. This procedure is successful in 25% to 60% of children and allows them to grow for several years, making a transplant easier in the coming years. Roughly 25% of children who have a successful Kasai procedure do not require a liver transplant. After undergoing the operation and spending 10 days in the hospital recovering, Matthew underwent testing once he was back home, and the family was informed that the procedure was unsuccessful. The family remembers feeling disappointed and hopeless but determined to continue doing all they could. On June 22nd, 2020 Matthew was admitted to SickKids Hospital in Toronto. Only four days later, Sheryl and Philip were told that only a liver transplant could save him, and Matthew was actively listed for transplant. Sheryl took a leave from work so she could stay with Matthew at SickKids. During this time, the Foundation began assisting the family with expenses like their mortgage, food, gas, and parking costs. “During a situation like this, any help you get will lessen the stress on your family and the Foundation was able to give us that assistance and ease the stress. It helped us take the financial pressure off our family during a time of enormous emotional stress, family sacrifice, and upheaval,” writes Philip.
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Winter 2021
