Building hope for kids - Michaels Way

Creating Safe, Functional Homes for Kids Fighting Cancer

A child’s home should be a place of comfort during cancer treatment, but many families struggle to create a supportive space. Building Hope for Kids transforms homes to meet these needs, providing essential renovations like wheelchair accessibility and safer entrances. Each year, one family receives a complete home makeover to ease daily challenges and support recovery.

We focus on making homes more functional and peaceful. Bedrooms are redesigned for healing, with clean spaces and organized storage for medical supplies. Hallways and doorways are adjusted for easier movement, while clutter-free areas help families focus on what matters most—caring for their child.

A Collaborative Approach To Helping Children Heal

The Building Hope for Kids program unites donors, sponsors, and volunteers to create homes that support healing. St. Christopher’s Hospital selects a child whose home needs urgent improvements. We then partner We partner with The Flyers Charities, who handle everything from décor and design to picking furniture.

01
Family Selection:

Every December, with the help of oncology social workers, we identify a family whose home needs urgent improvements to support their child’s treatment and recovery.

02
The Renovation:

Over three months, we partner with sponsors, volunteers and communities to transform their home, focusing on functionality, safety, and comfort.

03
The Reveal:

In March, the family returns to their newly renovated home, ready to focus on healing together.

This Year’s Transformation

This year, we’re honored to support eight-year-old Ronda Burns, a patient at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, who has been bravely battling leukemia since her diagnosis in March 2023. In partnership with Flyers Charities, we’re renovating her home to create a safe, functional space designed for her healing.

On March 5th, Ronda will step into a newly renovated home—a space filled with love, comfort, and possibility. We can’t wait to welcome them home!

See the Impact

Since 2012, Building Hope for Kids has transformed homes for children battling cancer, helping families find strength in spaces built just for them.

Building Hope for Kids Recipient: Alexandra

Age: 2
Age at Diagnosis: 1
Type of Cancer: Pre-B All Leukemia

In our 8^th 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 6^th 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

Age: 5
Age at Diagnosis: 3
Type of Cancer: B-cell Leukemia
It was a true labor of love! Maddie was our 7^th 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

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

Age: 9
Age at Diagnosis: 6 months
Type of Cancer: Progressive Optic Pathway Glioma
This was the 5^th 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.

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.