Matthew Foster was diagnosed with childhood cancer in his sophomore year at Iroquois High School. He battled the cancer for 25 months but lost the battle on January 29, 1999 at the age of 17. The following month his family established the foundation in his memory.
During the battle Matthew and his parents spent over 50% of their time at either Roswell Park Cancer Comprehensive Cancer Center or Oishei Children’s Hospital. They learned many things including that when you are informed that your child has cancer is changes every day of your life. While going through the treatments for cancer the mom and dad got to know parents, and single moms, with children going through the same battle. Those families battle with childhood cancer added a tremendous amount of grief and many differences to their lives including financial distress. The Fosters decided that the mission for the foundation in memory of their son would help in relieving some of the financial distress. They wanted to put a ray of hope in those families lives and know that people care.
The Matthew Foster Foundation’s mission is to assist Western New York families of children with cancer. Since we began in 1999 we have raised over $1,600,00 and have had the priviledge of assisting over 725 of WNY families.