BOCA RATON – A Facebook-based group is planning a “Family Day” in Patch Reef Park April 16 to aid a 6-month-old Palm Beach County boy who is battling a malignant brain tumor.
Matthew Collins was first diagnosed with the cancerous growth at age five months, and has been receiving treatment at St Jude’s Medical Center in Tennessee.
Matthew’s mother, Deborah Collins, is a member of Mamarama, a group founded on Facebook that connects local mothers. In just four months, the group has grown to nearly 700 members.
The Collins family resides in Palm Beach County, and they said they will continue to travel to Tennessee to get the best possible treatment available for their baby boy.
“As the founder of Mamarama, I feel a responsibility to utilize the mass audience we have and help raise money for the Collins’ family,” Said Lauren Leslie, the founder of Mamarama.
On April 16, she said, Mamarama is hosting “’Family Day in The Park for Matthew” at Patch Reef Park on Yamato Road in Boca Raton. There will be kindermusik with Ms. Kathy, bounce houses, slides, balloon artists, face painting, games, Mootz’s Italian Ices, raffles – and much more. There is no admission charge, but donations are welcome.
In the meantime, the family reports on a website that Matthew had surgery on Valentine’s Day to remove a choroid plexus carcinoma — a very rare malignant brain tumor with a 40 percent five-year survival rate. “The first and most important step in recovery has been achieved – complete surgical resection,” said his mother.
For more information, contact Lauren Leslie at 561-319-3262