Mattea Joy Freedlund
Mattea Joy’s Story
The story that started it all.
Mattea Joy Freedlund was born on April 13, 2009, with several severe medical complications. Gary and Jamie were given very little hope that she would survive, but Mattea gave them nine and a half extraordinary months they never expected to have.
Because of her medical needs, Mattea spent much of her life in the hospital, including at the University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital. It was there that Gary and Jamie came to understand, firsthand, what it means to be a parent of a critically ill child - the uncertainty, exhaustion, isolation, and countless challenges that come with caring for a child in the hospital.
They also experienced something else - the extraordinary kindness of people who helped make those difficult days a little easier.
After Mattea’s death, Gary and Jamie knew they wanted to use what they had learned through their experience to help other families walking a similar path. They understood that while they could not change a child’s medical circumstances, they could help change the experience of the family living through them.
Mattea’s Joy was created from that belief that no family should have to navigate the hospital journey feeling alone.
On April 13, 2010, Mattea’s first birthday, Mattea’s Joy became a nonprofit organization. What began as a way to honor Mattea’s life has grown into an ongoing mission to bring care, connection, and community to families caring for hospitalized children.
Mattea’s life was short, but the joy she brought continues to reach families today.
Mattea's Joy strives to bring joy in the journey of families with hospitalized children.
FROM ONE FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE TO A MISSION OF JOY
What Gary and Jamie experienced with Mattea changed the way they understood childhood illness forever. They knew firsthand how overwhelming, isolating, and exhausting life in the hospital could be—and they wanted other families to experience something different. Mattea’s Joy was created to make the hospital journey a little less difficult and a little more joyful for the families who follow.
Today, we fulfill that purpose through three areas of impact:
CARE 🤍
Meeting practical needs and creating moments of comfort.
When a child is hospitalized, families often find themselves navigating unexpected needs - from food and parking to simply having something comforting nearby. Mattea’s Joy provides tangible support throughout the hospital journey.
JOY CARE PACKAGES
Mattea’s Joy provides care packages designed for children and teens that hospital staff can use when a moment of distraction, comfort, or connection can help a family through a difficult experience.
Whether it’s during a procedure, a challenging conversation, a long wait, or an especially difficult moment, these age-appropriate items give medical teams another tool to help children cope while supporting the family as a whole.
EAT, PLAY, STROLL
In partnership with the Center for Healthy Families at Comer Children’s Hospital, Eat, Play, Stroll provides short-term needed items such as strollers, specialized formula and safe sleep spaces for families to focus on caring for their child.
SNACK BOXES
Snack boxes are provided through social workers and child life specialists at partner hospitals to families who are bedside with their child at the hospital. It allows us to support families even on the days when Mattea’s Joy does not have a physical presence at the hospital and remind them that “You’ve got this!”.
TRANSFER PACKETS
When families are unexpectedly transferred from outside community hospitals to Comer Children’s Hospital, Transfer Packets provide practical support for the journey. Packets include food, and parking gift cards, along with helpful information for parents navigating an unfamiliar hospital.
CARE FOR THE CAREGIVERS
We provide care items to social workers and Child Life staff at Comer Children’s Hospital to share with families as needs arise. These items range from comforting touches such as fuzzy socks and chocolate to practical necessities such as cell phone chargers and clothing for family members who unexpectedly find themselves at the bedside.
CONNECTION 🫱🏽🫲🏾
Creating moments that remind families they are not alone.
Hospitalization can be isolating. Our programs create opportunities for families to gather, connect, celebrate, and experience moments of joy in the middle of a difficult journey.
FAMILY DINNERS AT COMER
Once each month, Mattea’s Joy provides a hot, comforting dinner for families at Comer Children’s Hospital.
MATTEA’S PRINCESSES
Our Mattea’s Princesses bring a little magic to children and their families at Comer Children’s Hospital. Through visits, smiles, and moments of imagination, they create a welcome break from the hospital routine.
COOKIES & MILK
Each holiday season, Mattea’s Joy brings Cookies & Milk—and books for children—to families at Comer Children’s Hospital. This annual tradition creates a moment of celebration and normalcy during the holidays.
COMMUNITY 🏡
Sharing stories. Building understanding. Spreading joy.
Families facing childhood illness often feel like no one else could possibly understand what they are experiencing. We believe stories have the power to change that.
JOY IN THE JOURNEY PODCAST
The Joy in the Journey Podcast shares the stories of families who have experienced childhood illness, hospitalization, grief, resilience, and hope. By creating a space for families to share their experiences, we build understanding and remind others that they are not alone.
JOY EDIT SUBSTACK
Finding joy in the middle of real life.
Through Joy Edit, Mattea’s Joy founder Jamie Freedlund shares reflections and stories about purpose, motherhood, resilience, and finding meaning in both the ordinary and difficult seasons of life.
Read at joyedit.substack.com
THE IMPACT OF JOY ✨
The individual moments we create may seem small—a warm meal, a care package, a snack, a visit, a book, a helping hand.
But when a family is spending days or weeks in the hospital, small moments can mean a great deal.
Together, these moments tell families:
You are remembered. You are supported. You are not alone.
