06/23/2026
If my memory serves me correctly, the first that cancer affected me in a personal and emotional way was a little over a decade ago. It was the father of one of my very best friends in high school, William Gee Sr.
“Papa Gee”, as we affectionately called him, was a highly respected police officer here in the City of Niagara Falls. He was compassionate, stern, tough, funny, wise, kindhearted, loving and easily one of the strongest men that I have ever known. Papa Gee was one of my biggest supporters.
As a wrestler in high school he’d come watch when he could, and ask inquire with an emotional investment when he couldn’t be there. Several years later, during my brief time as a local “professional wrestler”, he was there, and would come to shows and lose himself in the moment of it all.
Papa Gee lost his battle to cancer on November 19th, 2013, days around the time that his son, and my friend should’ve been celebrating 21 years of life. It destroyed me. Although I didn’t see him nearly as much as I had in my high school years, seeing the strongest man I had ever known slowly over time lose his gift of life was hard to see, and an experience that changed my view on cancer forever.
Since then, I have known countless people who have been diagnosed with cancer, and survived, and unfortunately, many who succumbed to it. It hasn’t gotten easier to digest it all on a human level.
I married into a family who has made fundraising for cancer aid a way of life. My wife and her family have been major participants in the American Cancer Societies “Relay for Life of Greater Niagara”, selflessly raising funds to help those in need.
Every year, I see countless people affected in some way, shape or form. People who have lost parents, children, siblings, friends, and many more. I see survivors, who fought the good fight, won, and while their life has been changed forever, carry the biggest hearts and smiles, with a gratuity to wake up another day and enjoy the gift of life.
I have been personally fortunate, yet, taken my own gift of life for granted.
Over the last 17 years since graduating high school, I have been in and out of wrestling, the great sport that dominated my life for 6 years. I have had stints of coaching and light competition in between years of self-imposed bad habits.
As I’ve gotten older, turning 35 just this past May, I’ve had a realization about life, the gift of it, and how precious every single day is. My best days athletically are no doubt behind me, and know that there will come a time when I can no longer be the competitor that I used to be, and that’s why I choose to wrestle once more.
The sport of wrestling has been very good to me, and I can only hope that I can return the favor. August 8th is a wonderful opportunity to be good to it. Whether I have my hand raised in victory, or lose every match, through the power of fundraising, I can, at the very least help, those who need a win as they wrestle with cancer.
- Matthew Johnson's Fundraising Page for the upcoming Pin Cancer Nationals: https://getinvolved.pincancer.org/fundraiser/7212953
