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matthewzachary Profile
matthewzachary (Brooklyn, NY)
Member since Friday, March 23, 2007
Last login 11/17/2008 5:45:38 PM
Matthew Zachary was a 21-year old college senior and aspiring concert pianist and composer en route to film school to become a Hollywood film composer when he slowly lost use of his left hand, was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer (medulloblastona) and told he'd likely never perform again. Eleven years, four albums and scores of concerts later, Matthew's struggle to get busy living has inspired countless thousands. Today, Matthew is an award-winning musician and composer, accredited thought-leader in public health, a leading authority on the youth cancer culture, a highly credentialed and coveted motivational speaker, and a burgeoning social entrepreneur with the 2004 launch of Steps For Living (now reorganized as I'm Too Young For This!), a nonprofit social enterprise benefiting young adults affected by cancer that sought to create lasting change in how the public relates to the disease. Matthew has 14 years of experience in advertising, marketing, information technology and visual communications for print and web. In addition to serving as an advisor on the prestiguous Google Health Advisory Council, his portfolio also includes expertise in visual communications for print/web, cause-branding, public relations, consumer healthcare, nonprofit management and social media. Matthew has won several industry awards and been recognized internationally for his innovations as a visionary trendsetter and change agent who has always been ahead of his time. A native of Brooklyn, NY, Matthew holds an interdisciplinary BA from the State University of New York at Binghamton that combined the music, theater, computer science, and sociology disciplines. For additional information about Matthew, visit his website.
What is your current occupation? Do you enjoy it?
Founder and Executive Director of I'm Too Young For This!, a global community of young adults affected by cancer who get busy living and rock on. Our mission is to improve quality of life by providing ‘one-stop’ access to hard-to-find resources, peer support and social networks. We make it hip to be a survivor and talk about stupid cancer by advocating on behalf of more than 200 young adult support organizations and 1M+ survivors aged 15-39 who are currently living with and beyond cancer in the US. Website: http://ImTooYoungForThis.org
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What is your educational background? Are you currently in school?
BA, Interdisciplinary Curriculum, Music, Sociology and Computer Science, Binghamton University
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Describe your lifestyle and current relationship status:
I am currently married.
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Do you have any vices (smoking/drinking/etc)? Describe:
Wegmans chocolate chip/m&m cookies.
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Do you have any "heroes" in your life or your work? Describe:
Steve Jobs, Stephen Sondheim, Lance Armstrong, James Newton Howard, Billy Joel and Chick Corea.
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Do you have a favorite quotation? Enter it here:
"Everything that happens to you, whether you like it or not, becomes a part of your life...and you must live your life and be the best you can be every step of the way."
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What makes you happy? Why?
My wife's laugh.
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What makes you sad? Why?
When people don't get me.
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Name five (5) items you can't live without:
Laptop, Cell Phone, Palm Pilot, iPod and optimism.
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Describe your most "humbling" moment:
Brain surgery at age 21.
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