Matthew Kocher

The Boy With Courage

       

 "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" ... Hebrews 11:1

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Photo Gallery

You can help fill in our Photo Gallery by emailing us your pictures.  Matthew would love to see any of the photo's you have collected over the years. Please email them to jing12@comcast.net. Thank you.

Matthew with us, his parents, Lori and Bryan.

Matthew with his sister Kristina.

Matthew with his brother Michael.

The Family: Bryan, Lori, Kristina, Matthew and Michael Kocher.

Matthew and life-long friend Jonathan.

Matthew with his favorite nurse, Ben, who just moved.

Matthew, his dad, and Jonathan building model cars.

Matthew building model cars with Jonathan.

Matthew with friends Alex, David, and Christopher.

Matthew with stuffed animals.

Second cousin Nathan says hello.

Cousin Nathan gets glasses.

Matthew is a member of the West Allegheny Aqua Club Swim Team.

Matthew, Jonathan and sister Brittany have a fun visit.

Family Wedding

Aunt Cindy from Indianapolis, IN.

Matthew and Aunt Karen from Virginia Beach, Va.

Matthew with cousins Christopher and Jamie from Indiana.

The Mike, Rosalie, Ricky, and Angela.

Good friends and old neighbors ... Tom and Debbie.

Matthew and his Grandma from Brockway.

Matthew and Grandpa from PA.

Matthew and Papa from PA.

Matthew and his Nana and Papa from PA.

Good food delivery ... Better Friends .. Jonathan, Brittany and Diane bring pizza given by Juliano's Pizza. Thank you.

Friend and swimming buddy Brandon.

Matthew with his "swimming Build-a-Bear."

Thank you Mckee Elementary!! Matthew's card with over 500 signatures.

Dr. Michael Wollman & his fabulous "Team" of doctors ... the best at Children's.

Matthew and nurse Andy ... cool guy!!

Matthew with two of his favorite ladies ... Nurse Julie (left) and Crystal (right).

First the mohawk haircut, then .....

the buzz haircut.

Aunt Cathy, Gregory, Uncle Karl, Damon and Seth

Cousins Damon and Seth join their cousin Matthew and get buzz cuts.

Matthew with good friends Jim, Laurie, and Brian.

Matthew later shaved dad (Tony) hair. What a sport!

Matthew with good friend and neighbor Enrico.

Matthew with John and Julie.

Matthew and Grandma.

Matthew and his 3rd Grade teacher and now Dean of Students @ McKee.

Matthew and John Bates, WA Dare Officer and good friend.

Matthew and Middle School Dean of Students and homework delivery man!!

Matthew and WA Superintendent of Schools.

Matthew with his Pitt student friend, Mike.

Three skinheads: Alex, Matthew and David.

Matthew with Anthony and Dominic.

Matthew and Uncle Art and Aunt Eileen.

Matthew and Chris Hoke, Pittsburgh Defensive Steeler and one cool guy!

Matthew with David, Dana and Ava.

Matthew with our Pastor from St. Columbkille, Father Dominic.

Matthew and his middle school lunch table buddies, Jesse and Derek.

Matthew with Rajiv, first year Pitt. medical student buddy.

Matthew and child life coordinator Shalise: the one who keeps Matthew busy and having fun.

Matthew with the Marybeth, Katie, & Family.

Matthew and Jonathan being entertained by Dad's Korean monologue.

Mass for Matthew where friends had their feet washed.

Matthew receives his Nintendo DS.

Breaking in the new Nintento DS with Jonathan, Jimmy, Brian and Brittany.

Brian presents Matthew with handmade quilt made by his mother Laurie with pictures from their earlier years together.

The long awaited reunion between Matthew and his dog Cassie.

Matthew's first meal home from the hospital ... Billie Boy Pizza!!

Brandon & Victoria led a neighborhood lemonade stand earning proceeds totaling $230. Job Well Done!!!

West Allegheny Middle School Shark Team marched four miles for Matthew and raised over $10,000.

The winning team, Black Footed Ferrets, raised over $2,000 for Matthew. They are Kristen, Derek, Andy, Logan, Lindsey, Jonathan, Jesse and Parker

Nurse Ben return to visit Matthew.

Max Starks, Steeler #78, pays a special visit to Matthew.

Reading and English teacher, Mrs. "D." visits Matthew.

Matthew and his "infamous" smile!

WA Middle School Dr. Walsh presents check for $13, 000 to Bryan Kocher, Kristina, Michael, Grandma and Pat from McDonalds.

Community Volunteers work at the Blood Drive for Matthew Kocher on April 30, 2005.

Blood Drive planners Rosalie, Tom , and Joe w/members of Central Blood Bank.

Lori Kocher personally thanks donors for giving the gift of life.

Girl Scout Troop volunteers to help out at the bake sale.

Matthew celebrates 12th birthday at home.

Matthew is made an "honorary coach" of baseball team .

Dan, Childlife Friend and Crazy Man!

 Mike , Matthew's new Chartier's Valley friend!

in North Fayette!

Matthew's CCD teacher.

Nikki, Childlife Friend and great KEMPS player!

Kellen Campbell and Tyler Palko - Former West Allegheny Football players and currently play for Pitt University

Thanks Patricia from the Pittsburgh Musical Theater & the Wizard of Oz cast playing at the Byham Theater. Matthew shares a moment with Lion.

Dorthy:Amanda Durkosh; TinMan:Scott Sambuco; Lion:Jason Swauger; Scarecrow:Mike Petrucci; Munchkin:Adrianne Knapp; Emerald City Lady: Kayla Knapp

Matthew receives new bicycle from Mrs. Damratoski, Chinese Auction Winner, at Spaghetti Dinner held in his honor.

Some of the Pitt University Basketball players stop to visit.

Bridget another wonderful nurse on 8 North.

Matt & Dr. Wollman...very intelligent doctor...wonderful new friend!

My new hospital friends! I look forward to spending time with them each day.

Karen ... a great nurse!

Kevin ... a great friend and the man that helps keep my room germ-free!

Sarah ... she has promised to be with me on my transplant day!

Round 3 is over and fevers are all gone!

Matthew visits with his cousin Patti.

Matthew visits with Aunt Barb.

Matthew enjoys some sunshine at home before transplant.

Matthew and Kristing before transplant enjoying the day together.

Matthew and Kirstina reunited after Transplant ... what a blessing they are to us and each other.

Matt and Sarah on the day of Transplant. We are so happy she was with him the entire time.

Child Life Gang hangs in with Matthew for fun and support while he receives his transplant.

This is the actual bone marrow product given from Kristina and being infused into Matthew. It looks just like a unit of blood.

Sister Lisa and Matthew.

Matthew gets a visit from "Young" Father Dennis.

Matthew and Dr. Tersak...the doctor who made seeing his dog, Cassie, a reality!

Matthew and Janet, Home Health Care and Insurance Coordinator.

Angel Ben and Matthew

Matthew receives another visit from Angel Ben!

Matthew with PCT Melissa.

Matthew with Becky ... great nurse who keeps her promises!!

Matthew and Elizabeth, a great Physical Therapist filled with compassion and patience!

The AML crew with the Child Life crew ... together a great team!

Matthew and Dan show off Matt's ceiling tile he created to be hung in the Child Life Activity Room on the 8th Floor.

Matthew points to the "DISCHARGE" from his room in 8629 the day he leaves the hospital. Yeah!!!

Nikki, Matthew, and Dan celebrate the day Matthew leaves the hospital!

Matthew and his beloved Child Life Team from 8 North. The best people work on the 8th Floor!

North Fayett's Finest ... fire truck and police arrive at Matthew's parade!

WA Marching Band arrives to play for Matthew.

Members of the WA Varsity Football team come to honor Matthew ... one one "wanna be" dad!

Friends Katie and Anthony show their support!

The community comes out for Matthew's parade.

Matthew & Tammy (Physician Asst. at hospital clinic.)

Matthew's Family & fabulous Child Life Specialists from 8N.

Small view of Light the Night Walk. Red = Supporters, White=Cancer survivors/heros.

Matthew's Miracles family at Light the Night Walk.

Matthew enjoying his time at home and growing back his hair.

Denise & Hunter Evans present Matt with a 100 Day cake they made for him.

Matthew celebrates Day 100!!