Hi, I’m Mat—a firefighter with a heart deeply connected to the fight against childhood cancer.This September, I’m taking on the Rim to Rim to Rim (R3) challenge in the Grand Canyon to raise awareness and critical funding for childhood cancer research. For those unfamiliar with R3, it’s a grueling endurance run: starting on one rim, descending into the canyon, crossing to the opposite rim, and returning—all in a single day. It spans 50 miles with over 10,000 feet of elevation gain.My passion for fighting childhood cancer began in 2018, when I had the privilege of caring for Sydney—an incredibly sweet 8-year-old girl—during her time in the hospital. Tragically, Sydney lost her battle with cancer, and from that moment on, I knew this would be my life’s mission: to fight for kids like her and help bring an end to this devastating disease.My heart is set on supporting the search for cures that our children so urgently need. That’s why I’m honored to partner with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)—an incredible organization leading the way in cutting-edge research and clinical trials aimed at developing new treatments for childhood cancers.Your donation means more than you know. It’s a step toward changing heartbreaking words like “It’s terminal” into life-changing ones like “We have a cure.”By giving, you’re standing with children in the fight of their lives—protecting their innocence, restoring hope, and pushing for a future where cancer doesn’t steal childhoods. No gift is too small. Every dollar brings us closer to brighter days for these kids and their families. Thank you for being part of this mission.“No one thinks their child is going to get cancer until they do.”