Matthew Pierce, the baby nephew of Primus frontman Les Claypool, has passed away. He had struggled with Infant’s leukemia for over two years. During that time, Claypool actively worked to help raise money for his nephew’s medical costs. Primus even played a few intimate shows for the cause.

A note from Claypool reads:

Hello everyone,

I am sad to report that my little nephew Matthew Pierce who has come to be known as Baby Matthew has passed on from complications related to his more than two year struggle with Infant’s leukemia. He passed this evening (Friday, February 8) just after 7pm pacific time at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis Tennessee.

My heart aches for my Brother Ron, his wife Aimee and his kids Isaiah, Noah and Lilly. It has been an extraordinarily tough road for my Bro and his family and I want to thank everyone who has reached out to help them over the past couple years. The amount of support they have received has been phenomenal and very touching.

Matthew was a tough little guy who beat the odds for much longer than anyone ever thought. Because of him and his tenacious struggle, there has been more knowledge accumulated in the procedures of how to treat Infant’s Leukemia and the potential for survival is that much greater. Even though he was just a tot, he has done a great service to those future children who may be misfortunate enough to contract this mysterious and deadly disease.

Thank you all once again for your kind thoughts and generosity.

Les Claypool

Fans can donate to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program here