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March 3, 2015. Building Hope for Kids

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.

Please stay tuned for photo and video updates of the progress on the house.

January 12, 2015. Thank you to Michael’s Way

How do you thank someone? Nothing matters more then our little boy’s recovery from cancer, yet our children need a roof over their heads, food, heat in the winter, a working vehicle to drive our son for his treatments, to get to the grocery store…

Before Wyatt was diagnosed, the world we were raising our children in seemed rather bleak, selfishness the norm, anger, heartache, crime increasing – not the dream every parent historically has for their children’s future. But we were wrong. Amidst the heartache and terror of having a child being treated for cancer these past five years, has come the realization that we are indeed, never alone in this world, that there are so many people who truly care! Some are families who have walked in our shoes and know all too well the road we travel. Many have not and yet reach out in the name of a child, often they have never even met!

How do you thank someone? Do you tell about the tears that trickle upon your face when you think about THEIR sacrifice for your child and family? Do you describe the conversations you have with your children, when you get to say “see, no matter how difficult things may get, God will always help us, and see how He does it through the hands of such kind people” ? Do you simply say that a burden lifted from an already heavy heart, lightens the load enough to allow much needed smiles and laughter in between the pain? Do you let them know you pray for them with your children?

How do you thank someone? I know I don’t know anything that could ever fully express how we feel. I guess, you just say the words. From the deepest recesses of our hearts, THANK YOU! And God bless you.

With much love,

The Vernborg Family

December 27, 2014. A Christmas thank you…

Dear Chris,

It has been so long, I love your Christmas card. I have had so many annual doctors appointments. During the summer around June my hip started to hurt and I had to have bilateral hip replacement surgery. Everything went well though therapy was tough but I am up and walking.

December 22, 2014. NEW Chapter: Putting the Nascar funds to good use

Exciting News for Michael’s Way! We will be opening a new chapter at the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC beginning January 1, 2015.

The proceeds from the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award of $25,000 and a special donor match of $25,000 will be used to institute the new chapter. We are so excited to be able to financially assist the families of children suffering from pediatric cancer in the Charlotte area! A special thank you to NASCAR Foundation for making this happen!

December 10, 2014. Thank you from Chris!

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for all their amazing support. To see the caring and outpouring of love from everyone to help these children and their families and bring such great awareness to Michael’s Way is very humbling. This was an amazing experience and it has made Michael’s Way a known charity in all different places.

I love seeing everyone interacting on Facebook, the families, the children, and all our supporters. That is more than I could ever ask for. We are winners all the way around for all that we accomplished out of this great opportunity given to us by The NASCAR Foundation.

It was such a great experience in Las Vegas and to have young Danny Hill and his family with us made it even more special. He is a great young man, fighting the fight and winning! He is kicking cancer butt! He is my Hero!

We got to spend time with all the finalist and they are amazing people doing great things!

I have a new buddy, our winner Daniel. He is truly an amazing young man, God’s greatness definitely shines through him. The moment I met him I started voting for him!

And through this wonderful experience and the $25,000 we received from the Nascar Foundation we are going to start a chapter of Michael’s Way in Charlotte NC, to benefit the children and the Levine hospital!

I would like to give special thanks to the Pocono Raceway family for nominating us, it has been an amazing opportunity for our charity.
And thank you to the Philadelphia Flyers, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, Trevdan, PMC Property Group, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and the entire Michael’s Way family. Yes we are family now!

And yes ….. My Brother Would Be Proud !

November 20, 2014. CBS 3 Features Michael’s Way

Watch Video

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Philly non-profit is in the running for a big gift that could help hundreds of families dealing with a medical crisis.

The charity has distributed more than $6 million for thousands of families. We met two of them at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia.

Cayley Colon had just turned five when she was diagnosed with cancer of the kidneys. Her mother, Reina Suarez, took time off work, but bills don’t take a break. “My car, how I’m going to pay my car insurance?” Reina said. “Without my car insurance, I wouldn’t be able to get back and forth to work.”

“That means they have no income coming in, and they fall behind financially,” said real estate developer Chris McElwee.

In 1996, he founded the non-profit Michael’s Way in Philadelphia. The charity pays an average of $3,000 in non-medical bills for needy families facing cancer. “Michael’s Way has probably helped at least 80 percent of our families,” said St. Christopher’s oncology social worker Robin Capecci. The families helped include the family of four-year-old Zander, who has leukemia. Zander’s mother, Sandy Casanova, said Michael’s Way helped with “my mortgage. They have helped me with my car payments. They have helped me with some of the utility bills. So if it wasn’t for them, you know…”

Chris was inspired by his late brother Michael, a carpenter who died of cancer in 1983. “And even during that time, he was always helping others,” Chris said. “It was just his way. And that’s Michael’s Way.”

“Without Michael’s Way, I wouldn’t know where we’d be at today,” Reina said.

Michael’s Way raises money through t-shirt sales, donations and fundraisers and now is a finalist for a NASCAR charity contest. The most votes wins. “And if we win, we win $100,000 for our charity, and $100,000 goes a long way to help some families,” Chris said.

Chris takes no salary. Neither does anyone else at the charity, so they can help as many families as they can. The NASCAR voting ends December 4, 2014. If you want to vote for Chris McElwee and Michael’s Way, visit: www.nascar.com/award

To donate to Michael’s Way, visit: www.michaelsway.org

November 11, 2014. Thank you: Mortgage Payment

Dear Chris and Michael’s Way,

Thank you so much for paying our mortgage! Our 3-year-old daughter recently underwent surgery at CHOP for pilomyxoid astrocytoma, a form of brain tumor. After the surgery, she stayed in the acute rehab unit for more than a month. My husband and I were at her bedside the entire time and had to stay in the Ronald McDonald house next door. Needless to say, we racked up so many expenses. When our social worker told us your organization could help with non-medical expenses, we couldn’t believe it. But we believed it after Michael’s Way sent a $1,714 check to our mortgage company.

Once again, thank you so very much for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Susan and Michael Burke

Lansdale, PA

November 5, 2014. Thank you: Delinquent Electric Bill

Dear Chris and Ashley,

I am writing to thank you for helping our family in our time of need. My seven-year-old son Max has been battling acute lymphocytic leukemia for several years. He’s receiving treatment at CHOP. Max lives with me and his six-year-old brother in Norristown. I am divorced, but am not receiving any child support from their father. I got behind on my bills when I was unemployed for six months. I lost my job because I took too much time off because I had to take Max to treatments and many doctors’ appointments. I couldn’t believe it when I asked for and received a check from Michael’s Way in the amount of $629. This went towards paying my delinquent electric bill. When Max gets a little older, I will explain to him how there are strangers who really do care about helping others. You’ve been a great help during this difficult time.

Thank you so much!

Maxine D’Angelo

Norristown, PA

October 31, 2014. My Weekend at Martinsville

This past weekend, I was honored to be NASCAR’s guest at Martinsville Raceway during one of the final Sprint Cup Chase races of the season. This has been one of the craziest weekends for Michael’s Way since Pocono Raceway nominated me as a finalist for NASCAR’s Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award on October 1^st.

The most wonderful part of the weekend was undoubtedly getting the opportunity  to meet so many supportive folks involved with NASCAR, from the fans to current and former drivers like Richard Petty, Clint Bowyer, Danica Patrick and Rusty Wallace. The Chase Points Leader, Jeff Gordon, was nice enough to sign a Harley Davidson for Michael’s Way. Even fan favorite and race winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the time to take a photo with me, which I like to think gave him a little extra inspiration!

I was also interviewed by NASCAR and Sirius Radio, which provided me with the vital opportunity to explain Michael’s Way’s mission of paying the non-medical bills of families with kids fighting cancer. NASCAR’s graciousness was unbelievable, especially because I got the chance to ride in the official pace car, which is every NASCAR fan’s dream.

NASCAR also introduced me and Michael’s Way during driver introductions, allowed me to sit in at press conferences and driver meet and greets, welcomed me to the NASCAR suite to watch the race with everyone in the organization, and even took me down to the Winner’s Circle to see Dale Earnhardt Jr. enjoy his fourth win of the season.

While all of these experiences were unbelievable, the most important aspect of this incredible trip was the sheer amount of exposure Michael’s Way received. It was heartwarming to see just how gracious and caring about our charity everyone involved with NASCAR is. NASCAR has some of the most devoted fans in the world, and with them on our side voting for Michael’s Way, I think we’ve got a great shot to win this $100K award and help a lot more amazing families in need. Thank you, NASCAR!!!

October 10, 2014. Chris McElwee Finalist for NASCAR’s Humanitarian Award

Chris McElwee, Founder of Michael’s Way has been nominated by NASCAR as one of four finalists for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. If Chris and Michael’s Way receive enough votes, we will win $100,000 to help more families with children fighting cancer pay their bills. We need your help to spread the word to earn enough votes to win this incredible award! Please read on to find out more about Michael’s Way and how your votes can change a child’s life!

Press Release:

A Philadelphia Charity Has a Chance to Win $100,000… and YOU Can Help!

Yo Philly: Vote for Michael’s Way, and Help Families with Children Fighting Cancer!

Chris McElwee, founder of Michael’s Way — a Philadelphia-based charity which helps families with children fighting cancer, has been selected as a national finalist for The NASCAR Foundation’s 2014 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award (BJFHAward), which comes with a $100,000 award if it receives the highest number of online votes. Three other charities are in contention for the prize.

Michael’s Way was established in 1996 by McElwee in memory of his late brother, Michael, who lost his battle with leukemia. The mission of Michael’s Way is to improve the lives of children with pediatric cancer and support their parents struggling under the financial strain that often comes with such a devastating diagnosis.

What makes Michael’s Way different? Unlike many other non-profit groups, 100% of all donations go directly to the families of children with cancer. Michael’s Way helps pay the non-medical costs associated with caring for a child with cancer: household bills, rent or mortgage, utility bills, transportation, food, etc.

Since its inception, Michael’s Way has raised and distributed more than $6 million to lessen the financial hardships of hundreds of families in the Philadelphia area whose children are battling cancer. 100% of money raised goes directly to the families, NOT TO OVERHEAD!

Chris McElewee has also been instrumental in forging a partnership between Michael’s Way and Flyers Charities.  His efforts have resulted in the two charities working together to create Building Hope for Kids, which has renovated the homes of children with cancer, ensuring they live in a safe and comfortable environment. In addition, McElwee is the Vice Chairman of the Snider Hockey Foundation Board of Directors. He is the co-founder and co-chair of the Philadelphia Flyers Celebrity Golf Invitational, which has raised more than $4 million to directly support the 3,000 boys and girls who take part in the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation programs.

The award honors the unwavering commitment that The NASCAR Foundation’s Chairwoman, Betty Jane France, has demonstrated through philanthropy and community service. The annual award is presented to a dedicated NASCAR fan that has made a profound impact on the lives of children in his or her local community.

Here’s how you can help make Michael’s Way a winner: Go to http://www.NASCAR.com/award and vote for Chris McElwee. If Michael’s Way wins, it means a $100,000 shot in the arm for a local charity that does so much to ease the financial burden of families with children fighting cancer, so that the families can concentrate on the real battle — saving their child’s life.

Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on December 4, 2014. The winner will be announced on December 5^th in Las Vegas, NV during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards show, a nationally televised event at Wynn Las Vegas.

Go to http://www.NASCAR.com/award to vote for Michael’s Way. Learn more about Michael’s Way by visiting: https://michaelsway.org. Go Philly!

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