Michael's Way

Each year following the golf tournament (our main fundraiser), the Board of Directors determines how much funding will go to each hospital in the following year (the "committed amount"). Michael's Way currently works with social workers from A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, the Specialty Care Center of Lehigh Valley, and The Ronald McDonald Houses of Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. The social workers interact with these families on a regular basis and are therefore easier to determine which families are in the greatest need of funding. Family payment requests are normally received via fax from the social workers at these selected institutions. The request includes a cover letter from the social worker providing a brief description of the patient's medical condition as well as the creditors and amounts to be paid on behalf of the patient, copies of the bills to be paid, and two application forms generated by Michael's Way. The Michael's Way accountant (a volunteer) verifies that the patient has not exceeded the annual limit set by Michael's Way and issues checks directly to the vendors. The checks along with each request are sent to a member of the board of directors who approves the payments and signs the checks. A status report is sent to the social worker for each patient request detailing the vendor name, amount paid and approval status (approved/denied). Each institution also receives a monthly report detailing the amount spent that month, the year-to-date amount spent and the remainder of the committed amount for that year.

We know that we are making a difference in the lives of these families and that we need to continue to do so. We receive letter after letter from grateful parents telling us what our help has meant to them at such a difficult time in their lives. We couldn't do this without the generous support of individuals, corporations and foundations. For this we thank you!

We think happy children make healthier children. We provide the children with a little fun and some distractions throughout the year. Here are a couple of events we hold that are not fundraisers but are just as important.

Our 8th Annual Fun Fest was held at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children on June 14, 2010. The Fun Fest was originally started to celebrate the opening of The Oncology Wing. These few hours give the patients and their families a sense of normality. It distracts them from their everyday issues and allows them to enjoy some entertainment. There was face painting, interactive music, a magician, cookie decorating, Noah's Ark Stuffed Animals and much more. This event has always brought many smiles and is enjoyed by all who attend.

Thanks to Pocono Raceway, we added another event for the cancer patients and their families. Kids Day at Pocono Raceway was a new opportunity presented to us by the Pocono Raceway family in 2008. Patients from DuPont, CHOP and St. Chris's take buses up to the Raceway and enjoy all of their festivities. The festivities include a racecar simulator, face painting, games and coloring. Everyone receives a complimentary lunch and free tickets to the ARCA race.