MEET MATTHEW
Born with neurofibromatosis type I, Matthew had his first craniotomy when he was just 8 months old to repair his rapidly growing sphenoid bone, which supports the nerve and brain structures. He’s had numerous additional surgeries and procedures since, but it was a routine MRI that revealed something new and unexpected - a tumor in the front of his corpus callosum, the band of tissue connecting the left and right sides of the brain. Matthew was also later diagnosed with scoliosis and needed growing rods to help correct his spinal curve and allow for continued growth.
Matthew’s been through a lot, spending two summers at Nationwide Children’s in halo traction for his spine, two big spinal correction fusion surgeries and one revision. “The staff has worked with Matt, entertaining him regularly with games, tricks, pranks and fun things to do. We couldn’t have gotten this far without Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Godgiven talented staff,” says Matthew’s mom, Mindy.
Now 18 years old, Matthew was just recently granted a big wish – to see his favorite bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge! He got to help the master locksmith change a high security lock, and now has his name on a plaque that he placed on the bridge himself.
Hometown: Gallipolis, Ohio
Age on Race Day: 18 years old
Diagnosis: Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Scoliosis
Mile Sponsor: