Just four months after his transplant, Matthew’s family received news no one ever wants to hear. He had been diagnosed with PTLD, a life-threatening cancer that can develop after a transplant. In an instant, their world shifted again, and the days ahead were filled with treatments, hospital stays, and uncertainty.

But Matthew wasn’t about to let that keep him out of the game.

Baseball is what he loves most, and he held onto it through it all. His family wanted to make sure he could keep doing what made him happiest, even installing turf in their backyard so he could continue practicing.

When his family got connected with Make-A-Wish, Matthew knew exactly what he wanted to wish for. He wanted to a Boston Red Sox experience.

When Matthew stepped onto the field at Fenway Park, the announcer shared the incredible news that Matthew was cancer-free as he threw out the first pitch. It was a dream come true! The day got even better when he met one of his favorite players, Connor Wong. Matthew had some of his gear signed, and Connor surprised him with a special gift. One of his own bats.

For Matthew, the day was more than a baseball dream come true. It was a celebration of how far he had come and a reminder of what’s possible with hope and determination. 

Thank you to the Boston Red Sox and Connor Wong for making Matthew's wish a reality! And a special shout-out to Fanatics, the official sports partner of Make-A-Wish America.