I guess most hunters have either heard of or donated money to the program Hunt of a Lifetime which is for youth 21 and under who have life-threatening illnesses.

I recently met the founder of the program to learn how the organization began.

Tina Pattison is an ordinary mother of six who’s had hardships most parents pray they never have to face. Tina’s son, Matthew, was diagnosed with a type of cancer that is curable most of the time, but not in his case.

Pattison recalls hoping and praying for some respite for her son and for some way to ease his pain.

She would sit by Matthew and comfort him, and they would talk about dreams a boy might have for the future.

Matthew’s forehead wrinkled for only a moment as he thought of what he wanted to do most in the world. In a clear, excited moment, he expressed that he wished for an adventure outside the confines of a hospital room.

“Hunt moose with Dad,” was Matthew’s wish.

But the Pattisons couldn’t afford a big-game hunt, and when she contacted a wish-granting organization, she was told it wouldn’t fulfill one for hunting.

Pattison was heartbroken, but she wouldn’t give up on her son’s dream and started her own search for an outfitter who might help her cause.

Eventually, she located an outfitter in Nordegg, a tiny village in Alberta, Canada. The outfitter, Tony and Hilda Grosso, were very sympathetic to the plight of Matthew because of their own experiences with cancer. They arranged an October moose hunt for Matthew and his father Chet at no cost to them.

When the two hunters arrived in Nordegg, they were shocked by what Clayton and Hilda had done. The two had told friends and neighbors about Matt and asked for help.

The compassionate citizens of Nordegg went beyond anything the family could have expected.

The town of 68 people graciously chipped in to cover the costs of the hunt. A helicopter pilot offered them a free ride into the wilderness, a lodge gave them free housing and grocery stores provided the food.

On the first day, Matt and Clayton’s son, Gene, a professional hunting guide, spotted a huge bull moose. Matt dropped the bull in its tracks and their son had fulfilled his dream of adventure with his father.

That adventure had a miraculous effect on Matt as he grew healthier and stronger each day. Then, that February, the doctors discovered the cancer was back.

Six months after Matt’s hunting trip to Nordegg, the terrible disease took his life.

After his death, Tina Pattison decided to start a foundation that would fulfill dreams like Matt’s.

Hunt of a Lifetime was created to give terminally ill children the chance to embark on an outdoor hunting or fishing adventure.

As the year ended, Pattison prayed for a sign that she was doing the right thing in Matt’s memory.

On Christmas Eve, while they were preparing for their first holiday without him, the phone rang. A 14-year-old boy diagnosed with a brain tumor needed Pattison’s help to fulfill his dream. The boy’s name was Matthew Riley.

Pattison said she knew that her son was in good hands when she was sent another Matthew to help and that her Matthew’s legacy would never be forgotten.

If you would like to help Hunt of a Lifetime make the dreams of terminally ill youths come true with a donation, contact Tina Pattison at Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation PO Box 241 Harborcreek, PA 16421 866.345.4455 or at www.huntofalifetime.org.