Matthew CHRISTOPHER

Dear Christopher family,
We were shocked and saddened by Matthews passing. It is hard to comprehend how a young person such as Matthew can be taken away so suddenly. Our son is the same age and attended Bev Facey with Matthew. A very inspiring young man who was admired by many. May you all find strength and courage in the days to come
The Adams family.

Rest in Peace Matt. God grant peace to your family. Your honesty and authenticity were always such a challenge to us on Inspire. Thank you, you will be missed.

Dearest Christopher Family,
I too am an Inspire family member who enjoyed and benefited from Matt's wit, wisdom, and support to us. I am deeply saddened for you, his loving family, at this unimaginably difficult time. Matthew will be in every loving thought I think and I'll remember the world is a better place because he lived.

I pray for the peace that passes understanding.

I want to thank you Matt for making an impact in my life, your posts and words of wisdom helped me so much in my struggle with Head and Neck Cancer...You will continue to inspire those of us who needed encouragement in times of fear and pain...Thanks to his family for sharing such a wonderful man.

He deeply touched me and many others. May his family some how, some way go on without him.

Matt is a major contributor on the Inspire forum to the rest of us who are dealing with cancer and will be in our memories forever.

T Matt and his family:

I, too, am a member of Team Inspire and knew Matt from his very honest and heartfelt postings. What a courageous warrior he was! He gave us all many gifts. His words of wisdom belied his young age.

Rest in Peace, Dear Matt. Prayers for Erin and the family.

Elizabeth
San Antonio, TX

Matt.... I can't even put into words how much I will miss you. Even though we meet in our Inspire chat room. I got to know you through your journal entries. You made us laugh and cry. You shared every raw emotion that you felt . There are still many of us fighting this battle. Watch over us Matt. We truly will miss you. Rest in peace dear friend.

Stephen

I felt very sad when I learned of your son's passing. He contributed much to society and his profession during his short adulthood. My sincere condolences to you.

He was so special and the true face of courage for us in our own battle. It was so wonderful to have "known" him. We will all miss him.
Mr. & Mrs. Ninja

Matt was a very special person and in the short time that we corresponded I found someone who was extremely brave in the face of adversity. We shared many of the problems with this type of cancer and like others have said he was an inspiration to me as well May he rest in peace.

Matt was an inspiration to me on the Inspire Head & Neck Cancer site. He had a special talent for expressing himself and putting it into words.

I want to thank Matt's family for sharing him with us; Matt's contributions in the "Inspire/Head & Neck Cancer Alliance postings are an inspiration....

I read Matt's inspirational words on the Oley site. His self-less advice for others despite his own health issues impressed me beyond words. As I look at all these viewings...he touched people's hearts all over the world. What an accomplishment for someone so young. What a special soul!

Matt was a great online friend on inspire. I always looked forward to is advice and guidance. I am so sorry for your loss, because Matt was an amazing person. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

I too was inspired, educated and comforted by Matt at the Oley Inspire Support group. His passing will be sorely felt by those he helped while fighting his courageous battle. May he be remembered by not why he died, but how he fought and whom he helped.

God Be with Matt's family and love ones during this dark time.

Dear Matt;
I miss you so much already. Your wonderful advice on life and love and especially training my little bratty dog were highlights of my days. We were Oley friends....and lived in the same city but didn't get the opportunity to meet in person.
My prayers are with your family now. Your suffering has ended...but theirs will continue. God bless you and your family.

Dear Matt, rest in peace now. Your
friend Maria- Inspire Lung cancer
Survivor past 2 years.

I am another person from the Oley Foundation website. I to had cancer when I was young, 32. I was lucky to have survived now another 18 years. Knowing Matt helps me to try and overcome my daily struggles with my medical problems which in comparison are so much less than what he endured. When I start to feel sorry for myself, I think of him and it gives me strength.

To Matthew's family I only knew Matt from the Oley Inspire page. He was truly an inspiration. Erin, he loved and admired you so much. You were a special gift to him. I am holding you in prayer

I ALSO NEW MATT FROM INSPIRE AND HE WAS A GREAT INSPIRATION FOR MANY. AN INSPIRATION THAT WILL BE FOREVER WITH US.

I didn't know Matthew but we were on the same support website (inspire.com) and know someone personally or not to me they become an extended friend and as friends we all stick together. RIP young man and may a joyful peace follow the family left behind.

Matt RIP, You fought with such courage, gave many of us on Inspire, inspiration to keep battling.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

I also met Matt on the Oley Inspire boards. He has been a continuing source of inspiration to me. I have not had it nearly as rough as he did, yet he still managed to live life and live it fiercely until the end. His last post I have bookmarked. I will continue to pray for the family and friends of this true force of nature. I'm sure he will never be forgotten. We won't. We can't. He was too large an asset to our community and his passing is like knocking out a wall in a building. It will never be the same. Rest in peace, Matt

My heart aches with the loss of such a gifted man. I hope Erin, that you able to read Matt's posts on the Inspire website. I know each of us feels like we have lost a family member after sharing his experiences, even though we have never met him. Consider publishing his
words for others with head and neck cancer.

Matt..RIP You are a wonderful soul here and beyond.

My deepest condolences for family and friends of Matt. I too "knew" Matt only through Oley. His last posting to us on July 3 was a true gift. He touched many, many, lives. May he rest in peace.

I am so sorry for your loss..Matt was such a great insperation on the Inspire site. He was a man of great courage and great words.

To Mathew's family, you were blessed to have such a truly inspirational young man in your lives, he touched many peoples' lives far and wide including mine and my brothers through the head and neck cancer forum website. My love and sincere condolences to you all, from Pat in London x

Matthew made such a difference to all those he has come into contact with. My condolences to his wife and family. We will miss you greatly at the oley site. Rest in peace.

RIP Matthew.

To the family of Matthew Christopher

I "met" Matt on the Oley Foundation forum. My husband has ALS (motor neuron disease) and is G-tube fed. Matt's postings were so compassionate and wise, always getting to the heart of the issues he wrote about.  Despite his youth, he was "an elder" in the truest sense of the word. He touched lives around the world. We already miss him. Please know  that I'm holding you close at heart during this sad, sad time.

Matthew, I only knew you through the Oley site, but I know that you supported many through hard times. sending my thoughts and love to your friends and family!

RIP Matt, I only knew of you from the Head & Neck Cancer site.. Peace & love to your family! Free Bird.. Fly high.

Matt you were the leader of our cancer troops by reaching out with your advise, ear and absolutely your humor! You are sorely missed.Erin he wrote that you are his Inspiration! I truly wish you peace and knowledge that Matt is in a great place and is your Guardian Angel! Hugs and prayers! Margaret Birkenmayer.

Although I never had the privledge of meeting Matt is person, I am so saddened to hear of his passing. Matt was a courageous young man. The world is a sadder place for his loss. My heartfelt sympathy to Matt's immediate and extended family.

Cheryl-Anne (ThereForMyFamily from the Inspire cancer forum)

Matt ,You are missed by all of us on the Head and Neck Cancer site .You had a way with words that made us look forward to your entries.So sad for your family .You were not very old.God Bless.From Hummingbird.

To Matts family, I only knew him through the cancer site we were on together.He was such a wonderful writer to expressing the good with the bad of battling cancer.He would always put a smile on my face. He is going to be sadly missed, but know he is at peace and pain free now and flying high wth the angels. May his family find peace. God bless Briget in West Virgina

Oh Im so sorry to hear this. Matt brought such spirit and such grace to us who also have cancer. What an inspiration. Fly Free my Friend. Godspeed.

Ronda in Las Vegas

To the Christopher Family: We are all very saddened to hear the news of Matthew's passing, we have so many good memories of growing up closely with him and the family.Donna,Brad & Jeff King

It is with a heavy heart and much love that I am writing this to you. The loss of such a young, vibrant and good spirited being like Matty is incomprehensible. Just the other day, I was thinking of you all, as I relayed one of your legendary family stories to my own family. As tends to be a regular occurrence in the Christopher family anecdotes, Matty was the lead character and the account of his antics garnered all sorts of joy from the listeners, which I believe speaks to Matty's ability to forever touch the hearts and minds of so many. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have shared precious years with your amazing family and I am privileged that many of my best memories are of times I was able to spend with each of you, including Matt. My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Much love,

Words fail me - I am so saddened to have to write this today. I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow the family is going through and our hearts are heavy and with you at this most difficult time. Matt was such a bright and gentle soul. There is one more star and angel in heaven today. Sending virtual hugs and love to all.

Connie Edwards and Doug Cole

My thoughts and prayers are with you all - I thought the world of Matthew and will miss him very much at work