Young woman battling serious health problems moved to tears by gift from Secret Santa
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A Secret Santa has asked EastIdahoNews.com to help him give away $200,000 to deserving people and families living in east Idaho. From now until Christmas, Santa’s “elves” will be delivering surprises to many in our community. Some of the deliveries will be recorded – many will not. If you’d like to nominate someone for a Secret Santa surprise, click here.
Mattie Jeppesen has been in and out of the hospital her entire life.
The 19-year-old Rexburg woman was diagnosed with gastroparesis/stomach paralysis and eosinophilia esophagitis. Mattie throws up anywhere from 20 to 25 times a day because of the ulcers in her throat and stomach. She also started losing large patches of her hair recently.
A few weeks ago, Mattie found a lump in her breast and it needed to be removed. She was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called sarcoma. Mattie is unable to work because of her health conditions, and she is doing what she can to remain positive.
Despite her health challenges, Mattie and her husband, Jake, often volunteer at the soup kitchen and want to help those around them.
When Secret Santa learned about Mattie, he asked the EastIdahoNews.com to visit her and Jake with a surprise.
