Find a link to the Matheson Family GoFundMe Here: https://bit.ly/MathesonFamily

I first met the Matheson family in 2014. My daughter and their daughter, Julie, were in the same 4th-grade class and were best friends.  Several years later, the Matheson family suffered tragic news. Lyle Matheson was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic colorectal cancer. Through it all the family adopted a Warrior mentality, living through the motto that “Warriors never give up.” As a living testament to that motto, Lyle has endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy for more than 1,100 hours of treatment over the last two years. 

Together, Lyle and his wife Molly have six kids and two grandkids.  Three of their children live at home and attend local Cle Elum schools including Julie 14, Ariana 14, and Wyatt, 12. You have likely seen Molly and Lyle at the local high school games as they’re avid fans of CERSD Soccer, Basketball and Football – attending nearly every game!

Lyle speaks lovingly of all of his kids. He describes Julie as mature, sweet, and loving. She is never one to shy away from standing up for herself, she has always been her own person. He says that their youngest daughter, Ariana, is the free spirit of the family with limitless imagination and an upbeat attitude that won’t let anything get her down. And lastly that Wyatt is the baby of the family and he’s been a happy kid since the day he was born. He is the sweetest, mellowest guy you will ever meet. 

Through it all,  Molly has been an unwavering source of stability for Lyle, their children, and even our community – as she continues to serve as the girls high school basketball assistant coach.  She is not a person to ask for help and would far rather take care of it all on her own. But there comes a time when it’s too much for one person. 

In recent months Lyle’s health has continued to decline; with progressively more pain, and despite all attempts, they have not been able to control it with pain medication. Despite no longer being able to work as a crane operator, Lyle has continued to do some work from home.  However, as his symptoms have worsened it is not clear how much longer he can continue working. His recovery time after his treatments has lengthened considerably.

To make matters even more challenging, Lyle just received a denial of service for a medication that they have been using since October – leaving the family with a $15,000 medical bill from that medicine alone – not to mention the other mounting medical bill. This comes at  a time when they’re experiencing even less ability to work. This family needs our help – our community does an amazing job supporting one another, and now is the time to rally together.  

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family to help them through these trying times.

Please go here (https://bit.ly/MathesonFamily) to donate if you are able. 

To help preserve their family memories, I reached out to Molly and Lyle and asked if I could gift them a photography session. This is their strong, beautiful, family: