While some students dread the thought of going back to school, Matthew “Matty” Mazzello of East Meadow is really looking forward to it. The first day of middle school marks a new beginning for the 11-year-old, who overcame frightening ordeals during elementary school. In February 2023, he survived a severe sepsis attack from strep throat while on vacation in Florida. Four months later, he was diagnosed with T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow that causes the body to produce too many immature white blood cells.

“Matty fell running to the school bus, and after undergoing a series of tests he was diagnosed with leukemia,” said his mother, Diana. “Doctors told us the cancer was difficult to find because of all the blood transfusions my son had while being treated for sepsis.”

Matty’s parents, who are both teachers, want their son’s story to provide hope for other children during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, which is observed nationally every September to spotlight pediatric cancer, honor young patients and survivors, and raise funds for research.

After being diagnosed with T-ALL, Matty went to NYU Langone Cancer Center for Kids—Mineola for treatment. Chana Glasser, MD, chief of pediatric hematology and oncology, oversaw his care and amazing recovery.

“What is remarkable about Matty is that during two years of chemotherapy infusions and blood transfusions, he always had a smile on his face,” said Dr. Glasser. “He lit up our clinic with his infectious smile, jokes, pranks, and positive attitude. Now that he has completed therapy and is cancer-free, we know he is going to do big things and are so excited for what lies ahead for him this school year and beyond.”

The Mineola center is the largest outpatient facility for treating childhood cancer and blood disorders in Nassau County. In addition to providing chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and infusions, it offers a support network of child life specialists, psychologists, social workers, music therapists, and nurses. The center also partners with community groups and foundations to support parents.

“I am really excited for a new beginning in middle school and not having to be absent a lot,” said Matty, who had some heartfelt advice for other kids battling cancer: “The days may seem very long, but this experience is going to change your life in a positive way. It will help you be more empathetic to people going through hard times. It will also make you strong mentally and physically.”

About NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. Vizient Inc. has ranked NYU Langone No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers across the nation four years in a row, and it continues to have the most No. 1– and top 10–ranked specialties among medical centers in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. NYU Langone offers a comprehensive range of medical services with one high standard of care across seven inpatient locations, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 330 outpatient locations in the New York City area and Florida. The system also includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise.

Media Contact

Rosemary Gomez
Phone: 516-663-2709
Rosemary.Gomez@NYULangone.org