Colton’s Army Keeps Marching On
Patricia McMorrow | 09.30.14
“CaringBridge makes it so more people are aware of what is going on and sending us love and support. It shows us how many people care and that makes a big difference.” – Suzy Matter
For 14-year-old Colton Matter, fighting childhood cancer for the 5th time in 5 years has required the strength of an army: Colton’s Army of prayer warriors, professional athletes, family and friends who have been with him on his cancer journey since the very beginning. He especially appreciates the support during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, recognized every September.
Forming an Army
Suzy, Colton’s mom, started his CaringBridge website the day after his diagnosis and titled the page Colton’s Army, knowing that Colton and her family would need many prayer warriors and supporters. According to Suzy, Colton’s CaringBridge website not only provides updates and ways people can pitch in but it’s also a way to document not just Colton’s cancer journey but also his and his brother Case’s lives and achievements.
CaringBridge has become a vital part of Colton’s routine. When he was younger and started chemotherapy, Colton would fall asleep to Suzy reading him comments of support from people who had visited his CaringBridge website. Now that he’s older, Suzy updates the journal daily during Colton’s chemo treatments, sharing with his Army funny moments, victories and prayer requests.
How CaringBridge Makes a Difference
Suzy says, “Sometimes when I’m journaling, it’s easier to write what’s in my heart than to say the words out loud. CaringBridge allows people to get the right information quickly and helps us avoid a bad game of telephone.” Suzy also appreciates that CaringBridge is easily accessible and easy to use.
Early on Colton received a big frog balloon from his grandmother. Colton decided that F.R.O.G. stood for Fully Rely On God and that faith has helped the Matter family focus on all of the blessings they’ve received even during times of uncertainty. Suzy says, “CaringBridge makes it so more people are aware of what is going on and sending us love and support. It shows us how many people care and that makes a big difference.”
Suzy says that these days as a teenager and a pre-teen, Colton and Case don’t read all of her journal entries on CaringBridge, but she looks forward to the day when she can bundle all of her entries together and share them with the boys to show them just how much support and encouragement they received.
Like Colton’s Army, Colton keeps marching on and inspiring those around him. With a fighting spirit, Colton is focused on his freshman year of high school, fall football games and homecoming, knowing that his Army is behind him every step of the way.