Mateen is a bright 5-year-old starting kindergarten this year. He loves to draw and play, especially when it comes to sports.

As the youngest of five kids in his family, Mateen is very good at making his family smile, even through the hard times. In 2022, Mateen’s sister Maryam was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor called craniopharyngioma. She had neurosurgery to remove the tumor but developed several chronic and life-threatening conditions afterwards.

While Maryam now requires around the clock medication to help her fight illnesses and function in her everyday life, she has a whole team of siblings by her side ready to help. From explaining her health journey to people around them, making sure she takes her medications on time, and letting an adult know when she is struggling with her symptoms, Mateen and his siblings are always sensitive to Maryam’s specific needs.

Mateen and his siblings do their best to always have empathy and prioritize Maryam’s comfort, sometimes over their own. On several occasions, Maryam has been hospitalized due to how easily viruses can trigger a life-threatening adrenal crisis for her. Even when these scary situations arise on holidays or graduations or vacations, Mateen and his siblings have learned to be flexible and adaptable even when their special event doesn’t go according to plan.

As a part of the SuperSibs program, Mateen and his siblings enjoy receiving mail from Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Whether they’re going on scavenger hunts or doing crafts together, it helps them to feel recognized for their unique situation. While Maryam continues fighting, Mateen is ready to be there for his siblings in any way he can.