By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Matt Bruce
Photo/submitted
Northborough – Although he is only 26 years old, Northborough resident Matt Bruce is facing the challenge of a lifetime – a diagnosis of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In spite of that, his friends note that he has a “never give up” attitude.
“Matt expresses his determination to ‘never give up’ his fight, and has continued to be truly an inspiration to everyone that knows him. His charm and contagious smile are similarly inspiring as well,” family friend Ross Amato said. “His goal over this past year is to spend time with friends and family, but also to spread awareness about ALS and it symptoms to young adults like him in the community.”
“Matt has loved anything related to the outdoors since he was a little boy. While he certainly played his share of video games he preferred being outside. In the last few years he has spent much of his spare time fishing and hunting with friends and relatives,” Natalie Bruce, Matt’s mother, said. “The thing Matt likes most about the outdoors is that it’s quiet and serene and he can just relax and enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds him.”
Matt is a true outdoorsman, Amato said and the only thing he may love more than the Bruins is his passion for fishing.
To help the Bruce family with many of the costly home care health expenses that Matt will need going forth, Amato has helped to organize an ice fishing fundraiser that will be held at Lake Chauncy in Westborough Saturday, Feb. 15.
Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. in the beach parking lot on Lyman Street with the fishing to start promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Breakfast items and coffee, provided by Blue Coast Coffee of Shrewsbury, will be available for purchase. Lunch will be sponsored by Lowe’s Variety and Meat Market of Northborough and Westborough House of Pizza.
The cost to participate is a $50 donation with proceeds going to a fund set up to benefit Matt.
Those interested in participating may register on Facebook (1st annual Matt Bruce Ice Fishing Derby) or by sending an email to Amato at rcapolo24@hotmail.com.
Registered participants will receive a registration number to receive lunch, a T-shirt, and fishing bait on the day of the event.
Checks should be made out to Matt Bruce and sent directly to St. Mary’s Credit Union, 100 West Main St., Northborough, MA 01532 or can be submitted at the event. “Matt Bruce Ice Fishing Benefit” should be noted on the memo line.
If you would like to make a donation, contact Amato directly.
To learn more about Matt visit www.communityadvocate.com/2013/08/27/golf-benefit-to-help-northborough-resident-diagnosed-with-als.
A cartoon by Greg Bober.