I joined Strides 4 CMV in honor of my daughter, Lincoln Iris Matishak.

On May 30, 2025, my wife and I lost Lincoln to a congenital CMV (cCMV) infection when she was 30 weeks into her pregnancy. Since Lincoln's death, we’ve been shocked to learn just how common cCMV is and how little awareness exists around it.

Congenital CMV affects 1 in 200 babies. More than 10 children will develop lifelong disabilities as a result of cCMV every single day, including hearing or vision loss, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy and microcephaly. For some families, like ours, CMV is devastatingly fatal.

I myself had never heard of CMV before we received the diagnosis. In the past year, I have only met one other parent who knew of it. 

That is why I’m participating in Strides 4 CMV — to honor Lincoln’s life, raise awareness, support affected families and help fund prevention, education and treatment efforts. The National CMV Foundation is working tirelessly to change the future for families facing CMV, but they can’t do it alone.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate: Every contribution helps advance awareness, prevention, treatments and, one day, a cure.
• Share: Help spread the word. Awareness can save lives.

Thank you for supporting me, honoring my daughter's memory and helping make CMV impossible to ignore.

We love you, Lincoln Iris. Always and forever.