Medical student Mateus Botogoske died at the age of 25 on Monday (5), in Curitiba, due to respiratory failure, according to his family.
To g1, Helenice Botogoske, the student’s mother, recalled her son’s strength and the drive he had for life.
“Matthew never gave up, even on the worst days, in pain, tired or sad, he wanted to live, even though he saw the plan abandoning him or the doctors giving up on him… He continued fighting for his life, for a treatment that would give him time to enjoy the simpler things in life. His resilience will never be forgotten… He was a light wherever he went,” he says.
The young man had been fighting osteosarcoma – bone cancer – in his pelvis since December 2022, when he was diagnosed with a metastasis. During treatment, Mateus fought a legal fight against the Hapvida NotreDame Intermédica health plan.
The death announcement was made through a social media profile, in which Mateus shared his daily life and the fight against the disease.
Mateus leaves behind his parents, a brother, his girlfriend, and several friends.
In a note, Hapvida NotreDame Intermédica stated that the surgery was authorized and was available online, however, the legal process involved choosing the professional responsible for carrying out the procedure.
According to the company, the doctor recommended by the family was not part of the plan’s network, “being in disagreement with what was contracted by the client”.
Furthermore, Hapvida NotreDame Intermédica said that it remains in constant support of family members and is available for any necessary clarifications.
“The company expresses its sincere solidarity with the pain experienced by family and friends at this time”, states the note.
Friends mourned the loss
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The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), where Mateus was a student, published a note of condolence and highlighted that the young man is a source of inspiration.
“Your courage and determination in the fight against cancer were inspiring to us all. May his memory continue to be a source of strength and inspiration to those who were lucky enough to know him,” the institution said.
On social media, the young man’s friends and followers mourned the loss.
“He was always very special, dedicated and a friend. It’s still hard to believe, I will keep his memory with joy, I know he still shines”, highlighted a colleague of Mateus.
“My feelings, even without knowing you, I was rooting for him so much,” said a follower.
Legal battle
During treatment for the disease, Mateus Botogoske faced a legal battle to access the surgery recommended for him.
According to Helenice Botogoske, there were four court injunctions that determined the Hapvida NotreDame Intermédica health plan to cover the procedure recommended by the specialist doctor who treated the young man.
In June 2023, Mateus had surgery at the Hospital Universitário Evangélico Mackenzie, through the Unified Health System (SUS).
However, according to Helenice, the time to perform the surgery with a safety margin had passed, due to the delay in carrying out the procedure.
Between September and October 2023, according to the mother, the student tried a chemotherapy protocol, but the young man’s body did not respond to the treatment.
Mateus also had lung metastasis and kidney failure.
In January 2024, Mateus was admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with sepsis – a complication of an infection. Since then, the young man has not left the hospital.
