Matt Loede has Stage 4 lymphoma and after a nearly 2-year battle, which included 26(!) rounds of chemo, doctors have told him it has spread too much to ever see remission. Matt is a pretty well-known and very much loved local sports reporter in Cleveland, and many local news outlets and papers have written about him.
Matt’s friend suggested that he would love a short video message with words of encouragement to keep fighting and not to give up from his idol Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Matt is a big pro wrestling fan and draws inspiration from him daily. This would “send him over the moon and really lift his spirits during these tough times, especially as he is also currently fighting COVID-19 as well, which has left him locked down in his house without any visitors for nearly two weeks now.”
The links below are more about Matt’s fight.
Feb 2021 – Cleveland Plain Dealer: https://www.cleveland.com/news/2021/02/someone-close-has-cancer-what-to-do-a-prayer-and-a-dog-helps-terry-plutos-faith-you.html
Feb 2020 – WKYC: https://youtu.be/GaJrB0BRuIQ
Stella’s Wish Foundation granted this request and was able to reach Dwayne The Rock Johnson, who sent an encouraging video just for Matt!
I can’t thank you all enough for making this happen for my best friend Matt, I’m deeply touched and blessed that you were able to make such an amazing wish come true!
If you only knew how much joy this video brought to Matt tonight (and will continue to bring him) especially during an extremely difficult past few weeks and days. I know that seeing this video with such an amazing message from the incredible person that Dwayne Johnson is, has certainly lifted Matt’s spirits and inspired him to keep fighting, against all odds, to continue to bring joy into all of the lives of the people around him. He’s literally the best person I know and it breaks my heart to see him and his family have to face something some dark and terrifying.
Thank you thank you thank you again for giving Matt something that he will take with him on the rest of his journey and bring a smile to his face during the dark times.
Thank you again with all my heart,
Lindsey Foltin