So many know him as Mat the Alien, a popular DJ based out of British Columbia, but Mat Andrew is far more than that.
He’s a beloved son, father, friend, brother, uncle and partner who loves the outdoors and spends so much of his time on the hill at all times of the year.
Last week, Andrew was out mountain biking on a beautiful fall day when he suffered a terrible crash.
He was airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital for emergency surgery on his vertebrae and spinal cord, as his injuries are very serious.
“While it's still very early on and new information continues to come in daily, we know that Mat is currently paralyzed from the chest down,” says a GoFundMe started by his family.
“This road to recovery will be a long and emotional battle for Mat. While we all know he is not one to shy away from a challenge, this is going to be the biggest fight of his life.”
The positive news is that his brain appears to be undamaged at the moment, but Andrew is still in ICU with a breathing tube in.
While he battles in hospital, the GoFundMe to support his lengthy recovery has already raised around $90,000 and the province’s music community is rallying behind him with other fundraisers as well.
Mat the Alien has been a mainstay at events in BC and Canada for more than two decades now and has entertained crowds at events like Shambhala, Bass Coast, Center of Gravity, Snowbombing Canada and many others.
Shambhala organizers donated $1,000 to Andrew’s GoFundMe and left the following comment:
“For over two decades, we have watched you grace many of our stages, year after year, and bring that infectious energy and joy that we have all come to know and love.”
If you’d like to make a donation to the GoFundMe, or stay up to date on his recovery, click this link.
