Your Child has Cancer – Accept Help

Fifty Ways People Can Help

by Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

When your child has cancer, his life is turned upside down and your entire family is catapulted into a new world.  What was once manageable becomes challenging. Mowing the lawn, getting dinner on the table, changing oil in your car or walking the dog – there’s just not a lot of time for these things. Accepting help from other’s is difficult for many of us. But when your child has cancer, it is time to accept help wherever you can.

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RACE for Children Act – Raising Hope

“RACE for Children Act” is raising hope for new therapies for pediatric cancer. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal discusses exciting trials that are occurring as a result of the RACE. According to the article, many pharmaceutical companies are already gearing up for more studies.  As a result, some pediatric trails may be as early as this year!

Crystal Mackall, researcher and professor of pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, told The Wall Street Journal, “We have lots of drug companies who want to speak with us suddenly. Before, we went hat in hand, cajoling.”  And, Dr. Hubert Caron of Roche Pharmaceuticals called the legislation “a game-changer.”

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Mikey’s Way Wish List Kids

Beyond a Mikey’s Way Day – the Mikey’s Way Wish List 

Each year, the wheels of our Mikey’s Way Day  “Connection Cart” roll across numerous pediatric oncology/hematology floors throughout the country. It is at this time, during a Mikey’s Way Day that every patient in every room on the pediatric oncology/hematology floor has the opportunity to select an electronic. But, not every pediatric oncology patient is in the hospital the day of a Mikey’s Way Day. That’s why we have the Mikey’s Way Wish List.

The Mikey’s Way Wish List

If for some reason we miss a child on the day of our visit, a Child Life Specialist from the hospital can fill out the Wish List form and send it along to us. Once we receive the form, we package the child’s special gift and ship it directly to him or her.

Meet a Few of Our Wish List Kids

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One Wish to Help Kids Cope With Cancer

Mikey Friedman's One Wish helps kids cope with cancerIt Began With One Wish

Mikey’s Way Foundation was founded with one wish. One wish ignited by a selfless, compassionate desire to help kids cope with cancer. Mikey chose to use his own Make-A-Wish for the purpose of helping others.  His desire to help others is indeed a testament to the very person that he was.  read more →

Pediatric Cancer Financial Toxicity

Pediatric Cancer patient with IV poleFinancial Toxicity of a Pediatric Cancer Diagnosis

by Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

Treating pediatric cancer is expensive. Rising medical costs wreak havoc on a family’s finances and, in time, become yet another toxic side effect of cancer treatment.

Medical bills quickly fill our mailboxes as costs mount for hospital stays, clinic visits, medicines, tests and surgeries. In addition, unexpected costs for procedures or treatments for infections, dehydration or pain can add to rising costs. read more →

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

Join Mikey’s Way Foundation as we observe National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

National Childhood Cancer Awareness month banner

Every year in the United States, over 15,000 children under the age of 21 are diagnosed with childhood cancer. The average age at diagnosis is 6 years old. Approximately one-quarter of those diagnosed will not survive the disease.

Childhood Cancer Awareness
At Mikey’s Way, we see every day as an opportunity to raise awareness about childhood cancer, but September is an especially unique month because it’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.  read more →

How to Cope When Your Child is Diagnosed with Cancer

Suggestions for ways to cope and stay strong

By Les Friedman, Mikey’s dad

When Your Child is Diagnosed With Cancer
When your child is diagnosed with cancer, it has a stressful and inescapable impact on the entire family system. Every family member, including parents and healthy siblings, feel the profound effect of this diagnosis. read more →

Paul Garavel Receives Beacon of Hope Award

Paul Garavel is a Shining Example of Community Service!

Les Friedman presents Paul Garavel with the Beacon of Hope award.

Paul Garavel of Garavel Subaru received the inaugural Beacon of Hope award for his years of heartfelt community service and commitment to the children of Mikey’s Way. Les Friedman, CEO of Mikey’s Way presented Paul Garavel with the award at the Beacon of Hope event on July 20, 2018.

“Paul Garavel exemplifies the true meaning of giving.” states Les Friedman, ” He is a man that gives generously, without ever asking the question ‘What’s in it for me?’ Paul went on one Mikey’s Way Day at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital and immediately wanted to know how he could help, and he has never looked back from there. He helped us raise the money needed to put an i-Pad in every room of the pediatric in-patient hematology/oncology floor of the hospital. We are blessed to have him in our lives.”

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Coping With Cancer Emotionally

Coping With a Cancer Diagnosis

Coping with emotions when you or a loved one has cancer can be difficult. Every person’s situation and needs are different which makes the emotional challenges and the cancer journey an individual one. However, identifying and addressing feelings and emotions can help lower stress which in turn can foster improved mental and physical health. read more →

Meet Talia: Paying it Forward Mikey’s Way

Talia is committed to helping other children

Talia’s inspiration to “pay it forward” stems from her own story, which began in 2014 when she was just 11. A happy young girl with a passion for travel, Talia especially loved visiting with cousins and her Grandparents in Florida. She worked hard in school but also found time for Girl Scouts and field hockey. Her most favorite thing in all the world was going to sleep-away camp which was only a few short months away. But in the spring her life changed. Talia learned that she had a brain tumor. read more →