BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) proudly celebrates Consumer Underwriting Manager Matthew “Marathon Matt” Medeiros for successfully completing the 2026 Boston Marathon, capping off months of fundraising and community engagement that resulted in $34,521 raised for Boston Children’s Hospital.
Through Medeiros’ participation as part of Credit Unions Kids at Heart (CUKH) and BrightBridge’s organization wide Chain of Hearts fundraiser, nearly $20,000 was raised by BrightBridge team members, members and community supporters. That total was further amplified by a $15,000 match from Credit Unions Kids at Heart, making the collective impact even greater for pediatric neurological research, care and family support at Boston Children’s Hospital.
“This campaign was about so much more than one person running a race,” said John Howard, President & CEO of BrightBridge Credit Union. “Matt has inspired our team time and time again, and I’ve been so proud to support him through many races over the years. What stood out most this time was how our entire BrightBridge community came together with our members and partners showing what ‘people helping people’ truly looks like. The support behind Matt and this cause has been remarkable!”
This marked Medeiros’ second Boston Marathon run with CUKH, having first run in 2019 when he was paired with his patient partner Vraj, a teenager living with cerebral palsy. The two have remained close over the years and Medeiros dedicated this year’s run once again to Vraj and families facing similar challenges.
Through the Chain of Hearts campaign, BrightBridge branches invited community members to contribute a $5 donation and write messages of encouragement on paper hearts, which were displayed in branch as visible symbols of support. After the campaign concluded, the hearts were collected and presented to Medeiros so he could feel his community rallying behind him.
Halfway through the 2026 Boston marathon, Matt paused to give hugs to his patient partner, Vraj, and his family.
After crossing the finish line, Medeiros reflected on what the race meant to him at this stage in his life: “Running the Boston Marathon is an incredible experience, but this one was especially meaningful,” said Matthew Medeiros. “I was so excited and humbled to accomplish this again, this time knowing my family was waiting for me at the finish line. Seeing all the support from my teammates and our community members made every step worth it. I’m honored to run for Vraj, for Boston Children’s Hospital and for all the families who benefit from this important work.”
CUKH has supported Boston Children’s Hospital since 1996, helping fund research and care for children with complex neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy, pediatric epilepsy, pediatric brain cancer and Moyamoya Disease. BrightBridge’s partnership with CUKH reflects the credit union’s ongoing commitment to community involvement and meaningful impact.
