.jpg)
Matthew (second from left) home from the hospital with his band mates (Photo Madina Swan promo)
Matthew Leone, from the band Madina Lake, survived brain surgery earlier this week to replace part of his skull that was removed almost a month ago after injuries suffered in a terrible attack on June 30th. He is now home from the hospital. The surgery was successful. He is recovering, smiling, but said to be in great pain. There is a brief interview with his twin brother, Nathan in the ABC7 news video below.
Matthew was the victim of a severe beating when he tried to aid a woman that was being choked by her husband. Matthew had just left his brother's apartment on his way to meet a friend around 12:45am when he saw the argument. The woman yelled for Leone to help her and he tried to break them up and calm the situation. The husband, later identified as Justin Pivec, brutally attacked Leone and left him unconscious with many head injuries. Pivec, as reported here, has been arrested and charged with domestic battery for the incident with his wife and with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm, a felony, for attacking Leone.
Matthew has no medical insurance and faces large bills for his stay in the hospital, his surgery and subsequent treatments. Sweet Relief kindly started a fund for Matthew and raised over $20,000. There is a donation button, "chip in" near the bottom of this page. Sweet Relief was founded by singer-songwriter Victoria Williams in 1993. Victoria, while on a career-making tour with Neil Young, was forced to drop off mid-schedule after experiencing unexplained debilitating symptoms. A long and painful diagnostic process revealed she had multiple sclerosis. After her diagnosis, a group of her friends sold an all-star album of Victoria’s songs, Sweet Relief, which alleviated much of her medical debt. In 1994 Sweet Relief was incorporated as a nonprofit charity and by September of that year was distributing grants to needy artists.
There are two benefit concerts and an auction planned at Through the Pain.org. It is a network of Matthew Leone’s friends, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for him. Tickets are $20 per show on sale now. The auction they are planning has received donations from record companies, sports teams, and many famous donors; Madonna, Gene Simmons, Metallica, Nickelback, Marilyn Manson,
Pete Wentz, and many more. There will be silent auctions at the Chicago shows as well as online auctions. Check Through the Pain.org/auction for details.
The Smashing Pumpkins are playing a benefit show at Metro, re: Smashing Pumpkins benefit show for Matthew Leone July 27th at Metro. Kill Hannah, who are currently on tour with the Pumpkins, will open the show. It's sold out and expected to raise a ton of cash for Matthew.
Here's a direct link to the video below if you are having trouble viewing it.
Check out these other recent articles:
Free streaming concerts all week at Spin.com
Snoop Dogg leaves 800 fans hanging in Schaumburg
Comments
just linked ya so hope ya get a lot of hits. im using the same video link and i think cas so many people are going on it at once it gets kinda funky and sometimes you get the audio without the picture so incase you get any comments about that its on abc's end and tell em keep trying to view it. it does display right eventually. of the 4 times i played the video testing it once it was perfect but the other times i either got video currently unavailable or sound and no picture
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!