While many families are eagerly preparing for the holidays, Katia Luciani is prepping for something else.
Her husband, Matthew Schreindorfer, has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has been fighting the illness for two and a half years.
But now, the couple is getting ready for their biggest fight yet.
“He’s gone through all the possible treatments in Canada and there’s one treatment that he can do that has a really high success rate in the United States,” said Luciani. “But its $700,000.”
Schreindorfer made headlines after raising almost $1 million for experimental cancer treatment in New York.
Since then, the cancer has gone and returned multiple times.
READ MORE: ‘It’s been tough this third time around’: Matthew Schreindorfer on return of cancer
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Now, Schreindorfer is back to square one.
He needs a pricey treatment that’s not yet available in Canada.
Doctors say the treatment, in Seattle, is the only way to improve Schreindorfer’s odds of survival.
So once again, the couple is turning to the community for help.
READ MORE: Matthew Schreindorfer sees silver lining after unsuccessful CAR-T cancer treatment
“Any amount can help,” Schreindorfer said. “Whether it’s as small as $10 or big – any amount makes a difference.”
In addition to the crowdfunding, Schreindorfer’s wife and families have organized fundraising events.
READ MORE: Matthew Schreindorfer lobbies for better cancer treatment in Quebec
On Saturday, supporters showed up to a movie screening at Cinema du Parc, with all proceeds going to Help Save Matthew.
“He’ll do it,” said Schreindorfer’s mother, Christina. “He will beat this and people should help because he’s going to help others and he deserves to live.”
Schreindorfer is currently recovering in hospital and may soon undergo a bridge treatment to keep the cancer under control until they raise enough money to get to Seattle.
READ MORE: Immunotherapy: cancer treatment that helped Matthew Schreindorfer comes to Montreal
Until then, the couple and their families are staying positive and crossing their fingers.
“We believe in a second miracle,” Schreindorfer said. “We saw it the first time, the Montreal community coming together and we can do it again.”
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