Our story
In September 2022, Mateo "Tato" was a vibrant, fun-loving two-and-a-half-year-old boy. After experiencing recurring fevers over the course of two weeks, his mother, Rachel, grew concerned and took him to the emergency room. There, at Huntsville Hospital, Tato was diagnosed with leukemia. The following morning, he was transferred to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for specialized care and treatment.


St. Jude & Chemo
Mateo was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia known as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) once he arrived in Memphis, Tennessee at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He, along with his parents and grandmother, resided at St. Jude for six months while he underwent rounds of chemotherapy in preparation for a bone marrow transplant. Tragically, just three months after celebrating his third birthday, Mateo passed away in March 2023.
Meet our team

Rachel Cope-Phan
Founder of Tato's Team
Mateo's Mom

Jeneane Skeen
Event & Fundraising Coordinator
Mateo's Grandma

Gina "Ding" Delano
Event & Fundraising Coordinator
Mateo's Great Aunt

Phi Phan
Fundraising Coordinator
Mateo's Dad
Meet our Volunteers

Amanda & Lindsey Skeen
Be the Match Coordinators
Mateo's Aunt and Cousin

Ashlyn Lombard
Event Set-Up Coordinator
Mateo's Auntie

Danny & Britton Robert
F&G Event Coordinators
Mateo's Uncle & Auntie

LaJoy Johns
Fundraising Coordinator
Mateo's Auntie