Every nonprofit has an origin story, but for Matt Zlotnick, founder of The Healing Train, his was personal. After watching his own father navigate the exhausting logistics of getting to cancer treatment, Matt turned that experience into a mission built right here at home. Along with his partner, both proud Roswell residents, Matt founded The Healing Train, which partners directly with local hospitals to fund transportation for cancer patients, ensuring no one misses treatment because they couldn't find a ride.
When Matt's father was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer, it was a shock that sent the whole family scrambling. His mom, sister, and Matt found themselves managing an intense treatment plan — four to five hour chemo sessions three days in a row, followed by blood work and frequent doctor visits — on top of their own jobs and families. Transportation quickly became one of the biggest challenges. Everyone worked, and after chemo, Matt's dad was too exhausted to drive himself home. Matt would drop him off in the morning, head out to visit customers, and return hours later to pick him up. His dad never minded; he could sleep anywhere. But it bothered Matt, knowing his father was finished with treatment and had no way home. This was before Uber, and asking friends for rides over and over got difficult fast. "I thought, there has to be a better way," Matt says. "That's when I started The Healing Train."
The mission is simple: raise money to help cancer patients get to and from treatment, because fighting cancer shouldn't mean fighting to get there too. A big part of the organization's success comes down to being good stewards of the money it raises. Rather than working directly with families, The Healing Train partners with oncology support centers at hospitals like Emory Winship and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "Hospital social workers see these patients every day — they're in the best position to know who needs help most," Matt explains. Funds cover Uber vouchers, gift cards, and parking, easing costs that add up fast for patients traveling long distances to treatment.
The organization's signature fundraiser, the Matty Z Classic, was born almost by accident. Matt had coached youth baseball in Roswell for years, and one evening after a game, a few kids grabbed a spare bat and ball and started playing. What began as a casual game turned into a full event, complete with Cokes, pizza, and a promise of Big League Chew for the winning team. By the time it ended, the kids wanted another. Matt called his friend Rich Powell, whose son also played Roswell baseball. "It's a no-brainer," Powell told him. "You're going to get a lot of people to play." He's helped rally players ever since. The tournament found its permanent home at Dream Field in Roswell, with no set entry fee — just donations from those who could give.
Local businesses have shown up in a big way, with Mr. Taco, Lucky's, and Steel Canyon Golf donating gift cards and prizes, the Atlanta Braves contributing bobbleheads and team items, and Domino's keeping the pizza coming.
What began as kids messing around with a Wiffle bat has become one of the most meaningful ways Matt raises money. Early on, he got a call from a woman in Virginia whose father, living in Atlanta, needed help getting to treatment for throat cancer — exactly the kind of person Matt had started The Healing Train to help. The family later sent a handwritten thank-you letter that has stayed with him ever since. "Whenever I'm fundraising, I think back to that first ride," he says. "It reminds me why I started this."
Matt welcomes local businesses who want to be part of the mission, as well as baseball teams, friend groups, or anyone who wants to play a little Wiffle Ball — The Healing Train hosts events for all ages, always finishing with its famous Home Run Derby.
A heartfelt thank-you to Mr. Taco, Lucky's, Domino's, Steel Canyon Golf, and the Atlanta Braves Foundation for their continued support.