Jan 31

Mayor Geoffrey L. Henry Proclaims March 1st To Be ‘Eli Matthews Day’

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Family and Friends, On January 20, 2011 was the darkest time in our family’s life. We had just lost our Eli and had an unspeakable pain in our hearts.  One day the Mayor of Oxford, Geoffrey L. Henry called and told us something that truly honored us. He wanted to proclaim March 1st as ELI MATTHEWS DAY in Oxford! He created a proclamation on February 21, 2011. We were so touched that he would honor our angel in this way.  We are so excited that so many people have come to support this day in our town. We love driving around Oxford and seeing all the signs and billboards with Eli’s name on them.  I would like to ask all of you reading this that own a business no matter the State, or Country you live in to post “March 1st Eli Matthews Day help fight childhood cancer visit www.BraveEli.com” on your sign. Eli touched so many people in his life and even now continues to do so from Heaven. March 1st is quickly approaching. We hope that you will all continue to support this day by wearing red and black which were Eli’s favorite colors! Thank you all so very much for your continued support, kind words and prayers. They mean so much to my Family.

Jan 27

NJ Cancer Cluster

This is from our friend Kelly Irvin,

As you may have learned, I along with several other moms, are in the process of
updating/compiling demographic information related to our children’s pediatric
cancer diagnosis.  I am collecting the following information:

Childs Name
Parents Name and Contact Information (email preferred)
Age of Child
Diagnosis
Treatment Facility
Current residence (city, state, county)
Any tie to Monmouth County of parent
Elementary School
Relapse
Information (Yes, no, date)
Transplant Information
Angel

What we
intend to do with this information:
– Update state/federal statistics which
we have found grossly underestimated
– Look for trends (i.e. is there a group
of ALL in Ocean, which is larger than any other population of ALL cases in
NJ)
– Investigate potential sources of carcinogen contamination (i.e. known
pollutors, soil/air/water quality, etc)
– Take what we learn, and require the
apporpriate authorities to conduct an official study on cause/effect
– Ensure
corrective action measures
– Seek punitive damages
– Protect future
generations

We are benchmarking our efforts off a like study conducted
historically in Toms River.  We are at the very beginning stages of our
research, pulling public information files from the NJDEP,
etc

Send any infromation you have to

Kelly Irvin at: kellylynnterry@msn.com  l_JtjeavIRImqxoswu

 

 

 

 

Jan 13

GO BALD OR GET YOUR HAIR CUT FOR A CURE

Flashes_of_HOPE_002
UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:  TOTAL RAISED $1,796.50.   Also we thank Rodger Mort for  going BALD for the cure at Eli’s celebration in held in May.   Please grow your hair for next April 2014.  If you can’t wait let me know and we will make a special appointment for you.  Hey what we do is help children that need hair more than we do, and the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc.  Sends a check to Locks of Love with each bag of hair.   The balance of the money raised goes 100% to finding a cure….  Thanks to all of you that have or are getting ready to “GET YOUR HAIR CUT OR GO BALD FOR A CURE”  The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation thanks you.  The children you are helping thank you.   For more infromation go to. http://www.braveeli.com/2013/01/13/go-bald-or-get-your-hair-cut-for-a-cure/

SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2013 FROM 11:00 AM TILL 3:00 PM
Versatile Hair Styling 110 Barnsley Road Oxford, PA 19363 (610) 467-1550

 

Help us find a cure for childhood cancer!! How you ask? There are two great ways! Donate 10+ inches of hair to “LOCKS OF LOVE” AND/OR “GO BALD FOR A CURE” ON APRIL 20, 2013 when Tanja LaDuke will either shave your head bald or cut your hair for donation in a special event at her salon. VISIT WWW.BRAVEELI.COM to learn more about this FIGHT!!!! If you want to help in this fight e-mail me at BraveEli@zoominternet.net and I will send you a pledge form so you can start your fight against childhood cancer in Eli’…s memory.  Get the support of everyone that you know. Also have them come out and support you at the salon! All hair donations will be sent directly to “LOCKS OF LOVE” along with a $25.00 donation in your honor. The rest of the funds raised will go to fighting childhood cancer in the name of the ELI SETH MATTHEWS LEUKEMIA FOUNDATION, Inc.  If you live in another State and wish to still do this at your own hair stylist please let me know.  Make April the month to go BALD!!!!  We will have Eli and Alex’s Lemonade Stand at the event, and some other fun things…..
  • So far we have Austin going BALD March 1st at home on Eli Matthews Day in his brothers honor.
  • I’m going BALD at the event SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2013 FROM 11:00 AM TILL 3:00 PM at Versatile Hair Styling
  • Rodger is going BALD as a surprise stay tune
  • And our youngest 4 year old Kendra Rivera will donate 10″ of hair SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2013 FROM 11:00 AM TILL 3:00 PM at Versatile Hair Styling
  • Rebekah will be getting her 10 inches of hair cut, March 30th for this event.  She is asking for sponsors to donate to the foundation.  Please let me know if you would like to sponsor her for this amazing cause.  You can pick up a sponsor form at Jennings Auto Repair in Oxford,  PA
  • And my friend Eric went BALD in memory of our Angel Eli
  • Charlie Price is going BALD at the event SATURDAY APRIL 20, 2013 FROM 11:00 AM TILL 3:00 PM at Versatile Hair Styling
March 30, 2013
 Renee Jennings Irwin daughter gave me a wonderful Easter gift.  She gave a gift of hope for other children fighting for there lives.  This little girl raised $800.00 for the foundation by getting 12″ of her hair cut off today.  I have met this little girl a few times and it’s like she knew Eli all her life.  The fact is they never met.  There is something so very special about her.  I listen…d to her talk to me one day for 15 minutes and the love she has in her heart for Eli touched my heart.  I would like to thank you Rebekah on behalf of all the children in this fight.  It’s people like you that make the difference in this world.  To everyone out there on behalf of the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation we thank you for your support.   Please when tomorow comes and times seem a bit stressful please take a moment to hug your baby call your son or daughter and tell them how much you love them.   Happy Easter Eli Warriors and GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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Jan 07

Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation Rewind 2012

It takes a community to make a difference; if we are going to find a cure for childhood cancer we must stand together in this fight.  It truly touches my heart to see the involvement of our wonderful community in this important battle.  Eli was our everything; he has touched the hearts of so many and continues to do so even from heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPfNfLPAYEw&list=UUgte8pLV7goqmKRdCbrZufw&index=1

Thank you Matthew Logan Nichol for putting this wonderful slideshow together.

 

 

Dec 31

A REVIEW OF 2012 IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD CANCER! 2013 GET READY!

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I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for supporting the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. in 2012.  Because of all of you we were able to raise $43,004.75.  Our #1 mission is to find a cure for childhood cancer, but we also helped other charities as well.  We put smiles on 115 children’s faces as they received their very own CURLY THE BEAR.   You see we are moving forward, but can only do this because of each and every one of you.  Look at the list of events held in 2012 WOW!!!! Do you have an idea for 2013?  If so e-mail me at BraveEli@zoominternet.net and I will help you turn your idea into a reality.   We must not stop!!!! We must find a cure!!!!  7 children die each day from a form of cancer, and 47 will be told today they have cancer.   I will carry out Eli’s wishes to find a cure for childhood cancer or die trying.  Thank you; Eli’s Dad.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPfNfLPAYEw

 FACTS

  • Childhood cancers are the #1 disease killer of children – more than asthma, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined.
  • Childhood cancer is not a single disease, but rather many different types that fall into 12 major categories. Common adult cancers are extremely rare in children, yet many cancers are almost exclusively found in children.
  • Childhood Cancers are cancers that primarily affect children, teens, and young adults. When cancer strikes children and young adults it affects them differently than it would an adult.
  • Attempts to detect childhood cancers at an earlier stage, when the disease would react more favorably to treatment, have largely failed. Young patients often have a more advanced stage of cancer when first diagnosed. (Approximately 20% of adults with cancer show evidence the disease has spread, yet almost 80% of children show that the cancer has spread to distant sites at the time of diagnosis).
  • Cancer in childhood occurs regularly, randomly, and spares no ethnic group, socioeconomic class, or geographic region.

WE ARE A 501 (C) (3) FOUNDATION IF YOU WISH TO DONATE PLEASE SEND TO ELI SETH MATTHEWS LEUKEMIA FOUNDATION, INC. PO BOX 33 OXFORD, PA 19363….  A RECEIPT WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU FOR YOUR TAXES.

 

POLAR   PLUNGE FOR ELI 2012 FIGHT FOR ELI DICK’S FAMOUS   HALFWAY INN 2ND ANNUAL BILL HAMMOND’S   MARTIAL ART’S STUDIO KICK-A-THON
DENIM   DAYS AT FRED S. ENGLE MIDDLE SCHOOL FIGHT FOR ELI MAGOO’S MEGHAN GOES BALD
FIGHT   FOR ELI                         WEDGE NJ MARATHON JESSICA ALBRECHT IGNITE YOUTH NOTTINGHAM   PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
FLAPJACK   FUNDRAISER AT APPLEBEE’S PAT’S PIZZA FUNDRAISER  2ND ANNUAL ELI’S RUN @ OAHS
FIGHT   FOR ELI                         EMERALD   TAVERN FIGHT FOR ELI UGLY MUTT ELI SETH MATTHEWS CELEBRATION OF   LIFE
2ND   ANNUAL OXFORD AREA HIGH SCHOOL DODGEBALL EVENT AZ ACADEMY DINNER 4 ELI ELI SETH MATTHEWS ROAR FOR A   CURE MOTORCYCLE SHOW MISS OXFORD DINER
FIGHT   FOR ELI                         WEDGE FIGHT FOR ELI HARD ROCK CAFE   BALTIMORE FIGHT FOR ELI HALF PINT’S
RIDE   FOR A BROTHER TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OUR YOUTH MIKE VALENTIN AND SHERRY SHIFFLET I’LL BE HAVING MY HEAD SHAVED   FOR CANCER MATTHEW LOGAN NICHOL CAR WASH FOR A CURE KASSI   ENGLAND
PIG ROAST FOR A CURE NICOLE PALITA JOHNSON FIGHT FOR ELI EMERALD TAVERN

Dec 16

Eli’s Celebration May 18th 2013

UPDATE: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.  BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU THAT CAME OUT AND SUPPORTED ELI’S CELEBRATION WE RAISED $8,648.00

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO JR’S BBQ IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOME AMAZING BBQ CALL JIM RIGGINS AT 610-960-4441 NOT ONLY IS HIS BBQ AMAZING HE IS A REAL NICE GUY!!!!  DSCF72299879_449956658427016_2111599693_n 13530_449956481760367_1737066578_n 21290_656314004395151_729185178_n 168231_449957391760276_1874031197_n 168267_449956565093692_883513347_n 181198_656314617728423_1181956509_n 181444_656314737728411_911279429_n 310108_10201498144842324_313234002_n 310127_449962148426467_1621914599_n 376829_656313891061829_1276962447_n 486746_10200158067010688_214136890_n 923171_10201498444089805_1731092403_n 935127_449956358427046_654824406_n 941535_449956995093649_1110331373_n 941720_449956238427058_1030665580_n 942111_656314261061792_23035618_n 942766_10200162301036536_794300284_n 942918_449956761760339_328081235_n 943214_10200162312636826_2068612811_n 943409_10200572060842121_1930780805_n 944315_449956881760327_1513141235_n 945139_449956078427074_823089582_n 945228_656314391061779_999251075_n 945565_449957248426957_1315824933_n 946545_655793704447181_683686343_n 969489_656313764395175_2034819591_n 970037_449957115093637_417371551_n 970045_656314521061766_1364657101_n 970109_449957521760263_1268726116_n 970567_449957808426901_1434296986_n 970718_449957668426915_1653694593_n 971527_656314137728471_297019567_n 922905_10201066362090888_428855265_n 942697_10201066366410996_1138974634_n

“Eli’s Celebration”

and

“Brave Eli’s Ride for a CURE Against Childhood Leukemia”

Carrying out Eli’s wishes to find a Cure

May 18, 2013

We will start the festivities with “Brave Eli’s Ride For A Cure Against Childhood Leukemia”. Motorcycles were another passion of Eli’s, he loved to get on the Harley with me and ride! I have so many happy memories of my little boy holding onto me and the joy he had when we would go out. We want to honor his memory in this way. (There are plans to develop this into a WORLDWIDE event but that is for another email…)

After the RIDE is the party!

The Redmen’s Pavilion 114 Brick Rd,Oxford,PA19363 is set for Saturday May 18, 2013

4-6 pm will be the ride to Northeast, MD

from 6-midnight ( “Eli’s Celebration” ).

Get ready for: The Rock!!!!

Bands will be:

Fight For Eli

AND

Roll It Over

GREAT FOOD BY

JR BBQ

 ROMA sausages

DRINK Beer, Soda also BYOB

 
In order to raise more funds we need raffle and silent auction items. These items are about half the money raised during the event. We will need all the raffle items we can get so we will need all the help we can.  If you would like to help by donating something or suggesting some ideas for donations we would truly appreciate it.  Feel free to contact esmlf@zoominternet.net . Mark down the date, the tickets are ready and will be $25.00 per person. Since you are receiving this email you are entitled to first dibs on tickets because we all know that they will go fast. You can reserve your ticket by replying to me at BraveEli@zoominternet.net or Message me on Facebook or you can send $25.00 per ticket made out to Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. PO BOX 33, Oxford, PA 19363. Tickets will be mailed back to you ASAP!

We want to thank everyone for being a part of “Eli’s Celebration” that we had last year and we are looking forward to seeing you again May 18, 2013!

Love Paul, Ruth, and Austin

Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc.

Carrying out Eli’s wishes to find a cure

Paul B. Matthews, President

Jennifer Middleman, Secretary

Kristen Carter, Treasurer

Eric Molinaro, Director of Public Relations

website: www.BraveEli.com

email: BraveEli@zoominternet.net

email: esmlf@zoominternet.net

 

THANK YOU

All that we do here at the foundation depends on the kindness and support of every one of YOU.

We raise about half of the money from this event through silent auction and raffle items.  We want to take a moment and recognize everyone that has donated or contributed to this event:

Bob and Diane Fritz:  We thank you so much for everything that you have always done for the foundation and our family.  We could not do this without your continued support!

Calvert Comfort Heating & Cooling (David Janvier cell # 302-218-0458):

Oxford Sunoco: $100.00 Gift Certificate

Michelle Marttila (Eli’s aunt and Paul’s sister): Original artwork

Josh and Alison Distenfeld: Orioles basket

Bonedaddy’s Tattoo: Gift certificate and merchandise

Jennersville YMCA: 3 month family membership

Patrick and Liam Patrick McGrory: 1959 Willie Mays Baseball Card ($175.00 value) and other cards

Oxford Auto and Tire (Troy and Barb Miller):

Cameron’s True Value Hardware:

Brittany Buitron:

Bill Hammond’s Martial Arts:

Philadelphia Phillies: Baseball cap signed by ROY HALLADAY ($200.00 value)

Philadelphia Flyers:  Signed 8×10 of Danny Briere #48

Titan Disposal (Andy and Chrissy Tomlinson): 2 three month trash removal certificates

Danielle and Chris McKeon: Tastefully Simple basket

Stephanie and Tony Krzywanski: Wine Basket

Texas Roadhouse Concordville: Dinner for 2 ($30.00 value)

Outback Steakhouse: Gift card

Oxford Happy Nails Salon and Spa: Gift card

Erin and David Harper: 31 gifts products

Kim Webber:           

We would also like to THANK the following:

Oxford Acme #7866

PartyLand Devon, PA

Oxford Walgreens

 We also want to take a moment and thank the amazing community of Oxford and the surrounding areas that we live in.  Everyone has embraced and supported Eli’s memory and the foundation so strongly there are not words enough to describe it.

               -Mayor Geoff Henry: Thank you so much for declaring March 1st as Eli Matthews Day in Oxford with an official proclamation and getting all of the borough vehicles and police cars to wear red and black ribbons that day.

               -Miss Oxford Diner and Pam: Thank you so much for adding Eli’s favorite meal to the menu and the constant support you have shown with the Bike Show, selling foundation merchandise and supporting the Curley the Bear campaign.

               -Oxford Walgreens and Nicole: Thank you for selling the foundation items and making it so easy for our supporters to get their items!

               -Cameron’s True Value: Thank you for that wonderful sign and supporting us throughout the years!

               -Oxford Area School District: THANK YOU for all of the support that we have received from all of the schools!  Dedicating the tree last year was so touching and all of the work that the High School kids put into everything they do is amazing!

Dec 05

Brittany Buitron Photography (Photos For A Cure)

Click on this add twice to enlarge

 

Brittany Buitron Photography

Oxford Rd, Oxford, PA 19363

610-996-9970

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brittany-Buitron-Photography/183693528322551?sk=photos_stream#!/pages/Brittany-Buitron-Photography/183693528322551

 

Nov 27

Happy 12th Birthday Eli

I bELIeve this song says a lot of what my heart wants to say.  Today would have been our sons 12th Birthday.  To my family, and friends please take four minutes a just sit back and listen to this song as you watch the video I would like you to pray for my family.  My wife Ruth and Son Austin live a nightmare every day of our lives.    The pain in our hearts is unspeakable as our Eli is not on this earth for us to hug, hold, talk to, listen to his laugh, watch him play, see his smile, and just wonder what cool clothes he would wear as he would come down stairs.  You see this is not the normal life progression to lose a child is a pure devastation.  I also ask you not to look for your HERO’S in a baseball team, football team, or any other way, rather look across the room and see your HERO is right in front of you “your children”.  Life is short, and when my day comes I will join my son in Heaven but until then I will be the best husband I can be to my wife Ruth as we have had our up’s and down’s but I do love her.  I will stand by my son Austin’s side as I watch him grow into the amazing man I know he will become.  I will also not waver on my promise to carry out Eli’s wishes to find a cure for childhood cancer.  We miss you Eli Love Mom, Dad, and Big brother Austin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnAjlUnoVk0

Nov 24

A Message from CURLY THE BEAR

Hi I’m CURLY THE BEAR. First I want to thank every person that bought one of my friends and donated him back to Eli’s foundation.  It’s because of you this was possible.  Let me tell you all a story.  One day 2 ½ months ago a nice lady by the name of Amy Marshall a friend of the Matthews as well as a Avon Independent Sales Rep/Recruiter approached a good guy by the name of Paul Matthews with this idea of seeing if people would want to buy me and my friends but donate us back to the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc.   Well Paul said let’s do it, and look out.  We were at the Nottingham Presbyterian Church, the Oxford Presbyterian Church and many other locations.  Well guess what?  The foundation in Eli’s memory was able to send 16 of my friends around the USA and 87 of us headed to Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children on Friday November 23rd.  Paul, Austin, and Amy took us into the hospital and WOW!!!! They gave out 6 of my Bear buddies to some AMAZING children, and I overheard that guy Paul talking to child life and the rest of my buds are going to every child on the oncology floor and cardiac care.  Oh don’t any of you worry I will head out last so I see to it all of the children are loved, and let me tell ya my ARMY of CURLY BEARS love to HUG, Well got to go, next year Amy and Paul will be up to something else like this but not sure what furry friend it will be until then take care my friends Love CURLY!!!!
 
Paul, Austin and Amy, Thank you for your generosity with the donation of Curly the Bear for patients admitted to the hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant units at A.I. We appreciate your understanding our guidelines and policies about donors not going bedside to deliver directly to patients.  I wanted to let you know, I delivered 12 bears throughout the day today to patients that were able to have one.  There were nine girls ranging in age from 2 years old to 15 years old and three boys, ages 6, 16 and 18.  Even the teenagers accepted the bear with smiles!  I’m sure Eli is watching over you all and is proud of the legacy you are helping carry on in his name.  We will continue to deliver bears to patients admitted on the service as well as to patients that are on our cardiac unit as appropriate. Take care of yourselves, Cathy Cathy Akins, CCLSLevel III Child Life SpecialistNemours Center for Cancer and Blood DisordersNemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children1600 Rockland RoadWilmington, Delaware 19803
These are some wonderful children that we sent CURLY THE BEAR to around the USA

Nov 17

Fred S. Engle Middle School 2nd Annual Denim Day’s

Written by Leslie Hernandez,

The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. was established in February, 2011, in loving memory of my nephew, Eli, who passed away at the age of 10 from leukemia. He battled the disease since being diagnosed in 2007; through two remissions, two relapses, and a bone marrow transplant. The Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc.  raises funds to fight childhood cancers and has given two grants to the genetic research team of Dr. Todd Druley in St. Louis, MO.   Eli bELIeved in a cure, and his foundation will continue to work to find a cure for others.  Your Denim Day donations will go toward finding the cure to childhood cancers.  Thank You.

 

    For more information on what the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation, Inc. is doing, please visit www.BraveEli.com