Matthew Sweet suffers debilitating stroke during tour with Hanson as GoFundMe launched for treatment cost

TORONTO, CANADA: Musician Matthew Sweet, known for his iconic '90s hits like 'Sick of Myself' and 'Girlfriend,' is currently on the road to recovery following a serious stroke he suffered in Toronto on October 12.

According to his manager Russell Carter, Sweet was immediately hospitalized at Toronto Western Hospital, where doctors quickly acted to stabilize him, as per Entertainment Weekly. 

Matthew Sweet begins extensive rehabilitation after suffering stroke

After receiving exceptional care in Toronto, Matthew Sweet was transferred to a rehabilitation center in Omaha to begin an extensive therapy program.

Sweet’s stroke occurred just before he was scheduled to embark on a cross-country tour, including headline dates and opening slots for his longtime friends, Hanson.

As a result, the tour had to be canceled. 

"Matthew was quickly admitted to Toronto Western Hospital where he was put into excellent care and taken out of immediate danger," Carter shared, detailing how Sweet's condition was managed promptly.

In a statement, Carter highlighted Sweet’s resilience: "Matthew has always been intensely focused and tenacious in all of his endeavors... I am confident that his signature determination will serve him well as he focuses now on recovery to good health."

The GoFundMe page launched to gather money fo his treatment cost read, "Matthew Sweet, our longtime inspiration and dear friend, suffered a debilitating stroke this past week in Toronto while in the early days of a national tour. He has been unexpectedly and tragically forced off the road and onto a long, uncertain path to recovery."

"We are asking for financial help in this difficult time from his family, friends, and fans. Without insurance or touring income, Matthew faces an enormous financial burden."

Matthew Sweet's fans raise over $100K for his stroke recovery

In light of his stroke, Matthew Sweet faces significant financial challenges. "Matthew's medical expenses in Canada and Omaha are exorbitant," Carter explained.

"He cannot perform for the foreseeable future. To help cover his expenses, Sweet’s team has launched a GoFundMe campaign, inviting fans and friends to contribute."

The response has been overwhelming, with over $100,000 raised so far from 1,800 donors, including contributions from celebrities such as Judd Apatow, Peter Buck, and Jon Cryer.

Catherine Lyons of Russell Carter Artist Management, who helped organize the fundraiser, praised the care Sweet received but acknowledged the financial burden ahead.

"The doctors and hospital care in Toronto were instrumental in saving Matthew's life," she wrote. "But health care is not free for Americans in Canada."

Sweet’s medical journey will include six weeks of intensive therapy at a specialized center in Omaha, followed by several more months of treatment.

The estimated cost is staggering - close to a quarter of a million dollars.

Sweet has been a prolific artist throughout his career, recording more than a dozen albums, with his most recent release being 2021's 'Catspaw.'