Matt Peck
ASMP Advocate

I am the father of Joshua Chamberlain Peck, our remarkable, kindhearted 10-year-old son who passed away unexpectedly from bacterial meningitis in December 2022. Joshua’s loss changed our family forever, but his spirit continues to guide us in everything we do. 

To honor his life, our family created the Joshua Chamberlain Project. Inspired by Joshua’s compassion, our mission is to encourage acts of kindness, support children with dyslexia, and provide technology and learning tools to elementary schools. These efforts reflect Joshua’s generous heart, his own experiences with dyslexia, and the things he loved most. 

Joshua had a unique ability to make others feel included, supported, and seen. His kindness, courage, and resilience continue to inspire us, and it’s that inspiration that fuels my advocacy work. 

I choose to be an advocate with the American Society for Meningitis Prevention because no family should ever endure what we did. By raising awareness, sharing Joshua’s story, and supporting meningitis prevention efforts, I hope to help protect other children and families from this devastating disease. Advocacy gives purpose to my grief and allows Joshua’s legacy to create real, lasting impact. 

It is my privilege to carry forward Joshua’s memory and ensure that his light continues to shine through acts of kindness, through supporting children, and through the work we do to prevent meningitis and save lives.