Matteo

Matteo

Meet Matteo, an 11-year old cancer warrior. Last February, Matteo was diagnosed with CNS Germinoma, a rare form of brain cancer. After an MRI revealed a tumor in his pituitary gland, Matteo started his chemotherapy treatment. He was in a race against time because the tumor was already having a destructive effect on his eye sight.
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Matteo had been unwell for two years prior to diagnosis. Because the tumor was in his pituitary gland, considered the “master gland” since it controls all hormones in the body, he suffered multiple symptoms, including diabetes insipidus, frequent headaches, blurry vision, loss of appetite, low energy, and unexplained stomach aches.
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CNS Germinoma accounts for 3% – 5% of intracranial tumors in children and respond well to treatment. Overall, germinomas are cured in more than 90 percent of cases.
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Matteo started treatment at the start of the pandemic. Even though the situation was made even more challenging due to COVID-19, Matteo’s family and friends came together to give him unconditional support. When Matteo’s hair started to fall out due to the chemotherapy, his siblings, parents, grandparents, cousin, and uncle shaved their hair.

A friend of his father even had a famous tennis player, Fernando Verdasco, share a video message wishing him well. There were prayer groups in Ecuador, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Egypt, and Colombia praying for his health and recovery.  Throughout it all, Matteo showed courage, strength, and a depth of maturity not commonly seen in children.
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Matteo completed his treatment in July and is under follow up care. He and his family are committed to helping raise awareness about childhood cancer in Lebanon. They have raised donations from friends and family around the world, and most recently, have organized a fundraiser in collaboration with Matteo’s school, ACS, to help raise money to pay for chemotherapy sessions.

Thank you so much for all your efforts to help other children with cancer.  You are a compassionate fighter!