About Us

Tay-bandz is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of and funding for pediatric cancer research. The Taylor Matthews Foundation – originally known as tay-bandz – was founded by Taylor Matthews who was diagnosed with cancer at age 11. While fighting her own battle, Taylor never stopped looking for ways to bring attention to this sorely underfunded health crisis.

The Taylor Matthews Foundation funds innovative research and treatments that can reach sick children immediately, improve outcomes, and reduce the long-term survivorship side effects associated with pediatric cancer.

Taylor lost her battle when she was 16 years old. The Taylor Matthews Foundation honors Taylor’s memory and continues her fight to stop the tragic loss of life from this merciless disease. Poor funding, insufficient research and development, and miles of bureaucratic red tape have all stood in the way of treating kids quickly and successfully.

We will never stop pushing the boundaries of conventional therapies, dated public policy, and the logjams that keep good drugs in the lab and out of the clinic.

Our Mission

The Taylor Matthews Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness and funding pediatric cancer research. We fund cutting-edge, innovative research that reaches sick children now. It is our mission that children with cancer will live long, healthy, and productive lives.

Board of Directors

  • Sue Matthews

    Co-Founder and President

    Sue is the proud mother of Taylor, who founded tay-bandz (The Taylor Matthews Foundation), and her two sisters, Ryan and Corey. She is actively involved in advocating for children with cancer and in helping families waging the toughest imaginable battles. While Taylor succumbed to cancer…

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  • Bob Matthews

    Executive Vice President

    Bob is Taylor’s Dad and he experienced firsthand the reality that treatments for pediatric cancer have been moderately successful at best. During Taylor’s illness, Bob researched treatment plans throughout the United States and Europe. He spoke to doctors all over the world…

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  • Susan Wolfert

    Vice President

    Susan is a freelance writer, journalist, and editor who joined the Taylor Matthews Foundation in 2010 following years of covering Taylor’s journey for her local newspaper in Westchester. Susan has written news and feature articles for Mission Magazine…

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  • Beata Bak Mione

    Board Member

    Beata is a special events coordinator and an active fundraiser who has volunteered for The Taylor Matthews Foundation since its beginning in 2003. Working closely with Taylor, with whom she had a very close personal relationship, Beata has been a spirited force in all foundation endeavors.

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  • Andrea Cohane

    Board Member

    Andrea Cohane is a Board Member, advocate and advisor of The Taylor Matthews Foundation, foundation founded by her niece Taylor Matthews. Taylor was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 11 and throughout her nearly five year battle, she strived to raise awareness…

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  • Jessica Avellino

    Board Member

    Jessica Avellino is managing digital marketing strategies and assisting with fundraising efforts for the Taylor Matthews Foundation. She hopes to continue the fight against childhood cancer by

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  • Sarah Courtney

    As a board member and in Taylor’s honor, Sarah hopes to rally and raise funds to provide life-saving medical care to children diagnosed with cancer. Sarah is

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  • Sofia Cohane

    Dedicated Advocate

    Sofia Cohane is a dedicated advocate for the TMF, a cause close to her heart in memory of her beloved cousin, Taylor. Though Taylor passed when Sofia

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