Michael's Way

Chris McElwee was working on a job site where he met a man who had lost his house shortly after his son was diagnosed with leukemia. It was then that Chris researched how many organizations supported families affected by cancer with their non-medical bills. There are very few organizations in the Philadelphia area that reimburse non-medical expenses and the maximum amount paid by this handful of organizations have a very low dollar limit. Chris always knew he wanted to do something in honor of his late brother, Michael, and this was the inspiration for his idea.

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.

The current amount of funding spent on behalf of a family is $3,000. We have found that most foundations that do the same thing as us have a much smaller limit ranging anywhere from $100 - $1,000.

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!

The mission of Michael's Way is to help the families of children with cancer to cope with the extraordinary expenses that come about as a direct result of the child's illness.

"Often when I explain to families what Michael's Way can do, they just sit there in stunned silence for a while. Then they ask, 'You mean, they can pay our mortgage this month?' They often start to cry, because they are so relieved and grateful to know that a huge financial burden has been lifted from their shoulders." Helen Reese, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House

"Michael's Way has been a wonderful financial resource for our families. Michael's Way rented a specialized van for a family so they could drive to Maine and attend a week long oncology family camp. Your assistance to these families has helped to make our jobs a little easier." Stephanie Fooks-Parker, CHOP

"Thank God for the kindness of these people" Anonymous

"I would have lost my house without this help" Anonymous