Story
Cancer research has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, but stomach cancer is one of the lesser funded and least understood, despite being one of the most aggressive. Survival rates are often very low and we are determined to change that. The #sillyhatformatt challenge raises funds and awareness for stomach cancer research, in memory of our much loved friend, Matt Simpson. We encourage people across the world to join our team and don a hat, pledging to take part in a challenge of their choice and/or to sponsor others. Who's Matt? Fun-loving, easy-going and always inquisitive, Matt loved life. He was fit and healthy. Despite this, he was diagnosed with a rare and fast-growing form of stomach cancer (linitis plastica) in October 2012. Matt passed away months later, in November 2013, aged just 40 years old, leaving behind his young family. Creating Change We hope to help prevent this happening to others in the future and to use Matt's fun-loving legacy, his ability to bring people together (and his penchant for silly hats) to create change. What you can do Donate - sponsor one of our challengers today. All funds raised via these pages are restricted and will be allocated to stomach cancer research. Or join our team here and take part in your own challenge before 18th November 2018. More information: Find out more about the #sillyhatformatt challenge globally at: https://www.facebook.com/sillyhatformattchallenge/ Find out more about linitis plastica here: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/stomach-cancer/getting-diagnosed/types-and-grades/linitis-plastica-of-the-stomach And for the Aussies If you're based down under, visit our Australian fundraising page and donate via the GI Cancer Institute at: http://sillyhatformattchallenge.gofundraise.com.au #sillyhatformatt #linitisplastica #stomachcancerawareness #gutsychallenge