Benefit for Huntley Baby Born with Cancer

Matthew Erickson’s Facebook page has 1,509 fans who have been keeping up with the Huntley baby’s health and passing along messages of faith and hope.

The dozens of messages show how the 2-month-old’s illness has resonated with people in Huntley and throughout the region.

Matthew was born Dec. 11 in Sherman Hospital. Days after his birth, he was taken to Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.

He had surgery to remove fluid from his brain and part of the tumor at 4 days old, according to the biography his family posted. Matthew went home on New Year’s Eve and his family has been preparing him for chemo treatments.

Monday, his family posted Facebook update stating he is having a good day and they hope he will be off the ventilator soon.

Family, friends and strangers have reached out to the family through posts, including one woman who wrote that Matthew is proof that prayer works.

A benefit for the Erickson family is scheduled from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at Colonial Café, 600 S. McLean Blvd., Elgin.

The Colonial Cares Benefit Night for Matthew will donate 20 percent of the sales receipts to the family. Just mention Matthew’s name when paying the bill.

There also will be buttons for donations and some Grey Matters! T-shirts, which were created by South Elgin High School students.