Victoria ("Tori") Matta was an exceptional 11 year old girl who left a lasting impression on all of those who were fortunate enough to know her presence. She was wise beyond her years, had a quick wit, and was a fiercely competitive athlete. In April of 2023, Tori was diagnosed with a brain tumor and began treatment locally at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, FL. Her family, being the exceptional advocates they are, sought out all potential resources for Tori's care and contacted the Neurosurgery Department at Boston Children's Hospital. By July of 2023 Tori and her family (including her sidekick pups Abby & Astro) were headed up to Boston and admitted to the Inpatient Neuroscience unit at BCH for a scheduled biopsy of her tumor. The hope was that this biopsy would help to provide more information about her tumor and determine her plan of care; however, upon her admission it was quickly revealed that her cancer was not isolated to her brain, but rather spread throughout her body. Due to the unique nature of her cancer, Tori required specialized care from multiple disciplines of care at BCH.
In the months Tori spent on our Inpatient Neuroscience Unit, the whole Matta family became beloved by every clinician who walked into their room. The way her mother Valinda, her father Eliu, and her sister Mariah fought in true parallel with Tori as she battled against her disease was nothing short of unconditional love. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn all they could about Tori's illness and care inspired us daily to be creative and expansive with the best we had to offer their family.
Tori's father recently reflected on one summer Saturday during their hospitalization, when Tori's primary neuro oncologist was working with the pharmacy at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute to obtain an oral chemotherapeutic agent he thought might help to treat Tori's cancer. He recounted that amongst the discussion that day, they'd caught wind that a pharmacist who worked for DFCI drove to Boston from his family vacation on Cape Cod to fill the specialized script and ensure its delivery to the floor so that Tori could start her treatment that night. Ultimately, this treatment ended up giving Tori the opportunity to spend more time with her family and friends back home in Florida and as her dad would put it -- was one of the "bad ass" ways BCH showed up for their family.
Tori's strength and courage throughout her entire fight against cancer was remarkable. She maintained her competitive spirit and wit through her final days, and truly brought out the very best in all of those around her. Whether it was her teammates on the soccer field or the clinicians on her medical team -- Tori led with example as she demonstrated exactly what it meant to give it your all. Her inspiration and her legacy will live on forever, as her family keeps her spirit alive every day.
I've always heard nurses say -- some patients just stick with you. From the moment I met Tori and her family, I knew this would be the case. Coming to know The Mattas has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and simultaneously losing Tori was one of the worst heartbreaks of my career as a pediatric nurse. I now make it my mission to stand with Valinda, Eliu, and Mariah to continue Tori's leadership -- toward improving the treatment and care of pediatric patients and toward a world without cancer.
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