TAMPA, Fla. -- A 26-year-old is scheduled to have a bone marrow transplant on Valentine's Day after fighting cancer for the second time.
Matt Bauer returned to Moffitt Cancer Center to receive treatment.
"It's flabbergasting to me to try and figure out why did it happen to me again," said Matt Bauer.
On Friday, he will have his second bone marrow transplant.
"My donor is coming from Europe. He is 19 years old. He's male and that is all I know, no name, nothing," said Bauer.
In 2009, he fought cancer as a 16-year-old and won. His sister, Whitney, was his bone marrow donor.
His cancer returned nearly 10 years later in October. He received chemotherapy this week.
"It makes you feel terrible, mentally, physically, emotionally," he said.
Bauer worked on boats on Anna Maria Island before he got sick. He loves fishing and the outdoors.
"I can walk around the hallways, but I can't go outside like I could before," said Bauer.
Bauer does not seek sympathy. He said he is grateful to his friends, family and girlfriend. He said he feels sorry for those fighting their battle alone.
"You walk around and there are rooms where you see people there alone. I feel so bad for them. I want to knock on their door, but I don't even know what to say because I couldn't imagine going through this alone," said Bauer.
Bauer shares more about his journey on a Facebook page called "Matty B's Journey."
His friends are planning several fundraisers to help pay for his medical bills.
His friend, Michael Sabato, had shirts made to help raise money. A fundraiser will be held at Dcoy Ducks on Holmes Beach on Wednesday, February 19 at 9 p.m.
Friends are also raising money on a GoFundMe account.
"I have the best support, my friends, family, girlfriend. I can't ask for much else... everyone on the island has my back. It just sucks not being there and being here," said Bauer.
His friends are planning other fundraiser events and will post more on Facebook when details become available.
"I know this is not going to stop me. It didn't before. I have some ups and downs, but I know I'll get through it," said Bauer.
