Everyday bills
- Help with the basic costs of keeping the home running while his parents care for him.
A family campaign
Help Mateus's parents cover their living expenses so they can stay by his side.
Mateus is a playful, loving three-year-old who has been fighting hepatoblastoma, a rare childhood liver cancer, since he was two.
To care for him, his mom, Renata, put her career as a dentist on hold and his dad started driving for Uber for a more flexible schedule. With less income coming in, everyday bills have become a heavy weight.
The goal
Raise $5,000 to help Mateus's family pay essential living expenses, so his parents can spend this time with him.
VER – Volunteer Emergency Relief – is a non-profit that was founded on the above principle by Frederico Martins and Gustavo Couto, who, after a category 5 hurricane hit South Florida in the summer of 2017, decided to take action immediately. By mobilizing their communities around helping others, they were able to fully experience the acts of God right after the storm. Our mission is to bring people emergency relief and hope, changing one life at a time.
ACTS OF NATURE, NATURAL DISASTERS, STORMS, OTHER CATASTROPHES. THOSE ARE NOT THE ACTS OF GOD. THEY CAUSE DESPAIR, DESTRUCTION, AND EVEN DEATH. THE ACTIONS WE TAKE TO HELP OTHERS AFTER THE STORMS SHOW THE ACTS OF GOD!
In Renata's words
Diagnosed at age two with hepatoblastoma. The tumor was already large, and the cancer had spread to both lungs.
More than 16 cycles of chemotherapy and three lung surgeries. A procedure on the liver tumor caused severe complications and five weeks in intensive care.
A liver transplant.
Chemotherapy ended, and the family hoped to finally begin rebuilding their lives.
The cancer returned in his lungs. More surgeries and chemotherapy followed, but the cancer proved resistant to treatment.
Mateus receives immunotherapy and an oral medication. His care team now considers his treatment palliative and encouraged the family to focus on making memories together.
We continue to hope that his current treatment will help him and give us more time together.
Renata, Mateus's mom
Hear from Renata
Who Mateus is
Despite everything he has endured, Mateus is still the boy who fills every room with joy. His family is making sure his days are full of love, comfort and special moments, including Halloween and Christmas.
Where your gift goes
Mateus's care comes first, and his parents changed their work to be with him. Your gift fills the gap in the family budget so they can keep that promise.
Other ways to help
Send this page to a friend, your church or your small group.
Keep Mateus and his parents in your prayers as they cherish every day together.
FAQ
To help Mateus's family cover essential living expenses while his parents care for him. The goal is $5,000.
Mateus's family.
Yes. Volunteer Emergency Relief is a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Yes. Every gift, of any size, helps Mateus's family.
Share this page and keep Mateus and his family in your prayers.
One life at a time
Every gift brings us closer to the $5,000 goal.
A monthly gift keeps relief going after the headlines fade. Your gift keeps VER ready to respond where the need is greatest: disaster relief, rebuilding homes and volunteers in the field.