To the Editor:
The Decker Family would like to apologize to all of those who have donated to and supported the Matthew Decker Benefit that was to be held on October 15.
Unfortunately, Bob Decker was rushed to Upstate Hospital in Syracuse just days prior to the benefit.
Bob had to undergo emergency major surgery for a severe infection, which resulted in a required gall bladder removal.
After eleven days in the hospital, Bob returned home for only eight hours, to return yet again to Upstate Hospital.
This time he was diagnosed with a blood clot in the aorta. The team of heart surgeons had never seen anything like this before and the procedure was videotaped for medical history.
After performing open-heart surgery, the clot was removed successfully.
Literally, at a time like this, you can’t help but believe that Bob had a guardian angel, Matthew, watching over him. Bob remained in the ICU for another two weeks. Since both surgeries, Bob has been recovering slowly at home.
We would like to thank everyone that kept him and our family in their thoughts and prayers during those days.
The Robert Decker Family would also like to thank the crew from the Old Forge Ambulance for taking Bob to the hospital.
We would like the area and local merchants who donated to the benefit to know that we will hold onto the items for next year’s benefit.
Thank you all for your continuous support to this event, which we hold so close to our hearts.
Donations will be directed to the Old Forge Library, and the Kommunity Youth Activity Center (KYAC) in Old Forge.
This year’s recipients of The Matthew Decker Memorial Scholarship are Kathryn Brophy and Leif Frymire who will each receive $1,000.
Donations will also be made to the American Heart Association, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and the Mayo Clinic for Cancer and Heart Research.
The Decker Family, Singing Waters
