The First Annual Matthew Friedman Memorial Foundation Gala
On March 29, 2025, the inaugural Matthew Friedman Memorial Foundation Gala was held at MetLife Stadium—an evening filled with emotion and heartfelt remembrance. The event honored the extraordinary life of Matthew Friedman, a brilliant and passionate young man who tragically passed away at just 19 years old due to a ruptured brain aneurysm on April 12, 2023.
It was a night of tears and triumph, where grief met purpose, and where the love for Matthew Friedman filled every corner of the stadium.
A Night of Legacy, Awareness, and Impact
One of the most eye-opening moments of the night came from Rich “Big Daddy” Salgado—a prominent insurance and sports mogul, but more importantly, a brain aneurysm survivor.
When asked why this cause was personal to him, he shared:
“Me having an aneurysm, surviving it, and going through the pitfalls—finding out, having surgery, and battling for two years just to get back on my feet—it’s very near and dear to me.”
A Night of Celebration and Giving Back
The night concluded with panel discussions featuring NFL Alumni, an award ceremony for the first recipients of the Matthew Friedman Memorial Scholarships, and of course, an evening filled with remembrance, inspiration, and hope.
Four exceptional young adults were recognized for their dedication to medicine and emergency services, ensuring Matthew’s passion for making a difference lives on through others.
Scholarship Recipients:
Patrick Adly, Skylar Kohn, Myles Kaplan & Rohit Sivananthan
