|
|
|
Downers Grove, IL —
Just before his death, Matthew Rheintgen discovered a link to others far beyond his reach.
Although a battle with leukemia confined him to his bed, his home or a hospital room, playing Xbox let Rheintgen reach out to other gamers around the globe.
Now his father hopes a memorial fund will be able to provide those connections to other children.
Rheintgen died from his 10-month battle with leukemia on July 26, 2009. The 14-year-old attended Herrick Middle School and grew up with his mom, Kathy; his step-mom, Andrea; his brother, Michael, 7 and his sister Christine, 14.
His father, Michael Rheintgen, of Downers Grove, has set up The Matthew Rheintgen Memorial Fund which supports children and their fight against leukemia.
Michael Rheintgen said his son was eager to give back after being in the hospital and seeing other children without family constantly surrounding them.
“He recognized he had a family member with him all the time and knew that he had a lot of benefits other kids didn’t have,” Rheintgen said.
“When I brought Matt home, I had to tell him he was going to die,” he added. “When we came home, in his final two weeks, he thought about the things he had, and he wanted to leave some money to buy an Xbox system for the hospital.”
While he was in the hospital, Matt was in isolation due to a high risk of infection that could be fatal, said Michelle Tracy, fourth floor manager at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.
Matt would play with his father but also had the option to play with, talk, text or even video chat with other children around the world.
“The gaming system allowed him to communicate with other kids,” Tracy said. “It was like he was talking to friends. Michael wants to buy five (Xboxes) for the fourth floor in memory of Matt.”
Tracy said Matt had a connection with the faculty and was always upbeat.
“He was such a joy,” Tracy said. “He was so sick and he was so positive. This kid is unbelievable. We don’t see that, we see more on the sad and depressed side.”
Tracy said she still has photos of Matt in her office because of the significant impact he made on the nurses and other patients.
“Oncology families like to know that they have someone else that is compatible,” Tracy said. “Especially for the teenage population. They lose their hair and to go through what they go through, they have a hard time with it. It was really something for Matt to always be joking and upbeat.”
Just before his death, Matthew Rheintgen discovered a link to others far beyond his reach.
Although a battle with leukemia confined him to his bed, his home or a hospital room, playing Xbox let Rheintgen reach out to other gamers around the globe.
Now his father hopes a memorial fund will be able to provide those connections to other children.
Rheintgen died from his 10-month battle with leukemia on July 26, 2009. The 14-year-old attended Herrick Middle School and grew up with his mom, Kathy; his step-mom, Andrea; his brother, Michael, 7 and his sister Christine, 14.
His father, Michael Rheintgen, of Downers Grove, has set up The Matthew Rheintgen Memorial Fund which supports children and their fight against leukemia.
Michael Rheintgen said his son was eager to give back after being in the hospital and seeing other children without family constantly surrounding them.
“He recognized he had a family member with him all the time and knew that he had a lot of benefits other kids didn’t have,” Rheintgen said.
“When I brought Matt home, I had to tell him he was going to die,” he added. “When we came home, in his final two weeks, he thought about the things he had, and he wanted to leave some money to buy an Xbox system for the hospital.”
While he was in the hospital, Matt was in isolation due to a high risk of infection that could be fatal, said Michelle Tracy, fourth floor manager at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.
Matt would play with his father but also had the option to play with, talk, text or even video chat with other children around the world.
“The gaming system allowed him to communicate with other kids,” Tracy said. “It was like he was talking to friends. Michael wants to buy five (Xboxes) for the fourth floor in memory of Matt.”
Tracy said Matt had a connection with the faculty and was always upbeat.
“He was such a joy,” Tracy said. “He was so sick and he was so positive. This kid is unbelievable. We don’t see that, we see more on the sad and depressed side.”
Tracy said she still has photos of Matt in her office because of the significant impact he made on the nurses and other patients.
“Oncology families like to know that they have someone else that is compatible,” Tracy said. “Especially for the teenage population. They lose their hair and to go through what they go through, they have a hard time with it. It was really something for Matt to always be joking and upbeat.”
The purchase of gaming systems will have an impact on the children in the hospital, Tracy said.
The Matthew Rheintgen Memorial Fund hopes to purchase five gaming systems by raising $6,500 on Sept. 18 during the “It’s not just a game” fundraiser. During the fundraiser, a tree planting ceremony and plaque will be held outside Herrick Middle School as a tribute to Matt at 10:30 a.m. Sports memorabilia on which attendees can bid will include signed footballs, baseballs and photos courtesy of the Chicago White Sox, Cubs, Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks. The auction will conclude at 11 a.m.
Those who want to continue to donate can do so at www.MattsHope.org. Funds will continue to be raised through Dec. 31.
Michael Rheintgen also submitted an application to the Pepsi Refresh Project, which provides funding for projects aimed at making communities better. The ideas with the most online votes will receive grants.
Starting Oct. 1, votes can be placed at www.Matts Hope.org for him to win. Each voter is allowed one voter per day. The contest runs through the end of October.
The memorial fund is just getting started, and Rheintgen hopes to continue fundraisers to provide financial assistance to parents while their children are receiving treatment.
