Michael’s Way has donated more than $6,000,000 to area hospitals and helped hundreds of families affected by cancer. Meet some of the children we have helped.
Our Impact
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Alexandra
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Alexandra
Age: 2
Age at Diagnosis: 1
Type of Cancer: Pre-B All Leukemia
In our 8th year partnering with Flyers Charities, we were lucky enough to meet sweet Alexandra and the Lucaciu family. This renovation helps provide a safe & sterile environment for Alexandra while she battles cancer over the next 2 years. On Friday, March 6th we welcomed them back to their newly renovated home. We could not be more excited to reveal this years project and introduce the Lucaciu family.
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Maddie
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Maddie
Age: 5
Age at Diagnosis: 3
Type of Cancer: B-cell Leukemia
It was a true labor of love! Maddie was our 7th recipient for Building Hope for Kids and we are excited to share her heart-warming story. This home renovation will provide a fresh start for Maddie as she has recently completed therapy. We wish The O’Malley’s many happy memories in their new home.
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Syrianna
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Syrianna
Age: 9 months
Age at Diagnosis: 3 months
Type of Cancer: Optic Glioma
We were lucky enough to partner with Flyers Charities for our 6th year to remodel the home of St. Christopher’s patient, Syrianna. This renovation will provide a safe and comfortable environment for Syrianna to rest and grow as she fights her battle with cancer. We are grateful to her and her family for welcoming us with open arms.
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Bisan
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Bisan
Age: 9
Age at Diagnosis: 6 months
Type of Cancer: Progressive Optic Pathway Glioma
This was the 5th year that we have teamed up with the Flyers Wives to spread some joy by remodeling the home of St. Christopher’s patient, Bisan Abu Ali. We were honored to get to know Bisan and her family. They are the true heroes and give us more inspiration than they know. We only wish this home makeover brings a lot of strength and hope to her battle with cancer.
NFL Heroes Fight Childhood Cancer
NFL Heroes Fight Childhood Cancer
We had so much fun at our Annual Bert Bell Memorial Dinner and watching this video brings back those great memories! Try to watch this without a smile.
Thank you to the coordinators, our Board Members, the staff at Vie and all of our wonderful volunteers that work tirelessly to put on this event. This year’s dinner was a great success! We can’t wait to do it again next year.
Michael’s Way: Our Mission
Michael’s Way: Our Mission
Michael’s Way was founded in 2002 by Chris McElwee in memory of his late brother, Michael, who lost his battle with leukemia at the age of 25. Our mission is to improve the lives of children with pediatric cancer and to support their parents struggling under the financial strain of such a devastating diagnosis.
13th Annual Fun Fest
13th Annual Fun Fest
Date: June 30, 2015
Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Oncology Unit
Once a year, we like to throw a party for the Oncology patients at one of our partnered hospitals. This year, we celebrated with the patients at CHOP. They were able to come out of their rooms and get their face painted, take pictures in a photo booth, make crafts and eat! Thanks to our volunteers and CHOP staff for making this a great event! It was nice to see the patients having so much fun.
Building Hope for Kids
Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Zander
Age: 4
Age of Diagnosis: 3
Type of Cancer: Leukemia.
Michael’s Way and Flyers Wives have come together to create Building Hope for Kids. We are in our 4th year! Each year, we partner together to work with social workers at various children’s hospitals to help identify a chronically ill child with Cancer from a family in Philadelphia that needs to make renovations to their home. This year we have chosen four-year old Zander from North East Philadelphia, who has Leukemia. With lots of help, we renovate the child’s bedroom and even other rooms of the house as we see fit. Improving the home means improving the quality of life for the patient.
Jose’s Story
Jose’s Story
Age: 18
Age of Diagnosis: 16
Type of Cancer: Brain Cancer
While Jose was battling brain cancer, Michael’s Way and the Philadelphia Flyers Wives charity teamed up to renovate his family’s Northeast Philadelphia home.
The family’s unused basement was transformed into a master bedroom suite with access directly outside, making it easier for Jose’s mother to get him to appointments. Volunteers decorated the teenager’s room to make it more fun during his recuperation. Sadly, Jose lost his battle with this devastating disease. He passed away a few months ago, but we are honored to have made the last few months of his short life a little brighter for him and his family.
James’ Story
James’ Story
Age: 7
Age of Diagnosis: 4
Type of Cancer: T-cell acute lymphoid leukemia
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a rare type of cancer that is more common in older children and teenagers, but James has been fighting it since he was in pre-school. It’s a blood cancer that is aggressive and progresses quickly, but it’s hard to tell by looking at this energetic youngster who loves the Flyers and playing with his two brothers.