Matt Johnson
Ambassador for:
Rheumatic Heart Disease
“My message is pretty simple, if you have a sore throat, go get it checked out. It could save your life.”
Meet Matt Johnson, a former midfielder for the Blues rugby team. Matt had rheumatic fever when he was 13 and has been experiencing severe heart problems ever since.
He’s had three open-heart surgeries, two aortic valve replacements and, most recently, severe complications from an infected valve and dislodged stent.
Other special ambassadors
-
PaigePaige was born on December 6, 2021, entering the world prematurely at just 23 weeks and 4 days gestation, and weighing a tiny 525 grams
-
LuccaLucca was diagnosed with an extremely rare and highly aggressive cancer called Epethelioid Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Sarcoma when she was just 16 months old.
-
SophieA urine test showed glucose, and a subsequent finger prick blood test showed elevated blood glucose.
-
RichieHe had a persistent cough, had lost weight and become so lethargic he was short of breath even when lying flat on a bed.
-
MelaMela is diagnosed with an incredibly rare condition called Moebius syndrome
-
KaseKase lives with cystic fibrosis, a condition is typically detected at birth, but Kase was diagnosed at 8.
-
JeremyBorn at 29 weeks and 5 days, Jeremy is one of the approximately 700 babies born preterm each year.
-
JaideJaide lives with chronic asthma and type-1 diabetes.
-
JacksonJackson had a tumour the size of a tennis ball attached to his optic nerve.
-
HunterHunter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after his family noticed he was always thirsty and that his moods had changed.
-
FinnFinn was diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart, when his mother was 20 weeks pregnant.
-
FinlayFinlay was diagnosed with type -1 diabetes at three-years-old.
-
IsabellaBella was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at her Mothers 27-week anatomy scan
-
EvaEva was born with only half a diaphragm after suffering a diaphragmatic hernia during fetal development.
-
CorinCorin lives with a very rare genetic heart condition
-
ChloeOur gorgeous little ambassador Chloe has suffered respiratory issues since she was an infant.
-
BrookeAt six years old, Brooke was diagnosed with gelastic seizures.
-
BraydenIn 2009, Brayden was cooking noodles when his t-shirt caught fire from the stove element. He received burns to 45 percent of his body.
-
BenBenjamin was diagnosed with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele and Hydrocephalus at his Mum Catherine’s 20-week antenatal anatomy scan.
-
Amelia & GraceTwins Grace and Amelia were born prematurely at 27 weeks. They have extreme chronic lung disease and Grace had her first open heart bypass surgery at 8 weeks of age.
-
AddisonAddison was diagnosed with a staph infection, which caused damage to her heart.
-
Matt JohnsonMeet Matt Johnson, a former midfielder for the Blues rugby team. Matt had rheumatic fever when he was 13 and has been experiencing severe heart problems ever since.
