Mateo's Journey

03/08/2026

Happy Saturday! We thought we’d share a little update about Mateo. He is truly thriving and doing so well.

He recently wrapped up his 8th grade basketball season with Five Cities Basketball, and his team took first place in the consolation bracket. It was especially special to watch two young coaches, Theo and James, lead the team to victory. Knowing this was his last basketball season with Five Cities made it even more meaningful for all of us.

Mateo missed the first few games due to his football injuries, but once the new year began, he jumped right back in and truly thrived on the court. After everything he went through with a meniscus tear and a fractured femur, we feel incredibly grateful to see him healthy, playing hard, and loving the game again. Watching his resilience and determination has been such a gift.

He’s also started one of his favorite sports again, Friday Night Lights, Flag Football with some of his close friends and he’s loving every minute of the season.

And today he kicked off his Babe Ruth baseball season! ⚾️

As parents, there is nothing better than watching your child overcome challenges and come back stronger. Seeing Mateo healthy, happy, and thriving again fills our hearts with so much gratitude. #12 flag football #40 baseball #11

01/24/2026

✨ 7 YEARS REBORN ✨

On January 24, 2019, Mateo was given a second chance at life, thanks to his big brother, _, whose selfless bone marrow donation changed everything. There are no words big enough for that kind of love.

Today, Mateo is healthy, active, loud, silly, and FULL of life, playing football, basketball, flag football, and baseball, and being the absolute life of the room. Behind that joy is a huge, determined heart and a miracle we never take for granted.

To honor this day, we invite Team Mateo to celebrate with us:

🧡 Reach out to someone you love or haven’t talked to in awhile to say hello just because

🧡 Pay it forward with an act of kindness – buy a coffee or meal for the car behind you, or say hello to a stranger

🧡 Give back in Mateo’s honor to one of the non-profits below on behalf of Mateo’s re-birthday – this year, he suggested a donation amount of $15 to one of the non-profits below

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who supported our recent Team Mateo blood drive—23 units collected, up to 69 lives impacted. That is love in action.

Mateo’s Chosen Organizations (links in bio for Instagram and comments for FB ⬇️):

🧡 17 Strong

🐝 Bumblebee Foundation

💛 Jack’s Helping Hand

🌟 Samuel Jeffers Childhood Cancer Foundation

🏥 USC AJ De La Torre Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund in honor of our special friend AJ De La Torre

🤍 Note: Our family is currently on a social media fast. We’ll be back in early February and cannot wait to read your comments on how you celebrated Mateo’s Rebirthday and the acts of kindness you shared in his honor.

Thank you for continuing to love our boy and walk this journey with us. 💛

his life

01/10/2026

🚨 HELP US FILL THE LAST 7 SLOTS! 🚨

We only have 7 more appointments to fill for tomorrow’s blood drive! Help us celebrate Mateo’s 7-year transplant birthday by giving back in the most powerful way—donating blood.

❤️ One donation can save up to THREE lives.
🤍 Never donated before? That’s okay—let this be your first time.
📊 Only 3% of the country donates blood… you can be the difference.

📅 Sunday, January 11
⏰ 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 California Fresh parking lot

Let’s show up, fill every slot, and turn gratitude into action. 💪🩸

Medical Web Portal

01/04/2026

Happy New Year! 💙
On January 24, 2026, Mateo will be celebrating his 7-year re-birthday, and to honor this incredible milestone, we want to give back the gift of life.

Team Mateo is hosting a blood drive on
📅 Sunday, January 11
⏰ 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
📍 California Fresh parking lot

These annual blood drives have been so successful, and this year our goal is to fill all 21 donation spots!

If you’re able to donate, we would be so grateful. If you can’t, please consider sharing this post to help spread the word.

👉 Sign up here to donate:
https://donors.vitalant.org/dwp/portal/dwa/appointment/guest/phl/timeSlotsExtr?token=KWMZxxwkp6skWuNfXTHLb2RVHD0p6RS94KsnRH6yObU%3D

Thank you for the love, prayers, and support you’ve shown our family all these years. 💙

One blood donation can save up to three lives.

Medical Web Portal

12/30/2025

Mateo got a fishing pole and tackle box from Santa 🎅🎣
Today he took them out with his besties…
Fish caught: 0
Laughs caught: 100
Confidence level: still high 😂
Until next time, fishermen.

11/01/2025

As Mateo’s youth football years come to an end, I can’t help but feel so proud and emotional reflecting on this journey. Four incredible years, each one filled with growth, grit, and memories made. Last year’s Super Bowl win was unforgettable.

Seeing Mateo hold his position as Center is something we’ll never take for granted. His strength and determination remind us daily of how far he’s come, our brave cancer survivor, healthy and thriving, doing what he loves most.

It’s been so special watching Coach Ed lead these boys with such patience, positivity, and heart. The way he believes in them and lifts them up is truly inspiring. A few weeks ago, the league celebrated the 8th graders, their last year in youth football and it was extra special to have Lil Ed, Diego, and Grandma join us on the field as each player was recognized.

The senior team finished their regular season with only one defeat until last week, and today they kick off their first playoff game. No matter what happens next, we couldn’t be prouder of Mateo and all that he’s accomplished.

Let’s go Eagles! 💙💛🦅

10/14/2025

🎉 Happy 18th Birthday to our Diego — aka Dewey! 🎉

Our quiet, sometimes hard-to-read middle boy… but those who know you know your heart of gold and unstoppable determination. You’ve always done things your way, calm, focused, and intense, and we love that about you.

We’re so proud of the young man you’ve become! Watching you work full-time alongside your dad in plumbing has been incredible. You’ve got such a natural talent; it just clicks for you, and it’s impressive to see the pride and skill you put into everything you do.

Eighteen looks good on you, Dewey! Keep chasing adventure, staying true to yourself, and living life with that quiet strength and big heart that make you, YOU!

We love you so much!! Happy 18th, Diego!

10/09/2025

Good morning, Team Mateo!! ☀️

Here’s a message straight from Mateo — he’s working hard on his 8th grade fundraiser! His goal is to reach the grand prize a Meta Quest VR by raising $2,000, and he’s just $550 away from that goal!

This kid puts in the work — making the calls, following up, and sending out his own thank-you’s.

The deadline is coming up fast, so he asked if we could share online. The school has already raised $28,000, which goes toward dances, activities, and classroom supplies — and Mateo’s class is currently in the lead!

Every little bit helps!
📲 Instagram: Link in bio
💻 Facebook: Link in the comments

Thank you, thank you for all your support!!

10/07/2025

Please help me celebrate this incredible man!!
He’s 49 today!!

A man of integrity. A good man. A patient man. A man who gets up every morning and does what needs to be done — who trusts God even when life is full of chaos and noise. An incredible coach, mentor, and someone who loves us unconditionally.

A special shoutout to him for his years of hard work and for being brave and bold in stepping out on his own to start our family business — Modern Perspective Plumbing!

Our journey together has been long and far from perfect. We’ve faced storms that could have broken us, but instead, we chose to fight, to heal, and to grow — in faith and in love.

Doing life with you and watching God’s hand in our story has been one of the greatest blessings.

Happy, happy 49th birthday to YOU, !! 🥳