A LETTER FROM MIKEY’S MOM

Dear Friends,

When Mikey was younger, I used to tell him that he was such a lucky little boy. And he was lucky; he had a loving family, numerous friends, and a terrific sense of humor. As he got older, Mikey’s personality really blossomed. He grew into wonderful, caring person, who, was always so comfortable with himself, that others couldn’t help but feel good around him.

Two days after his fifteenth birthday, Mikey’s luck changed. Hearing “you have cancer,” is perhaps one of the most disheartening things a person can experience. Mikey, however, would not let his illness dampen his spirit. He quickly learned that his mental health was as important as his physical health. Cancer treatments are often long, painful, and debilitating. On several occasions, Mikey spent weeks at a time in a hospital bed. He passed the time by playing video games, watching movies, and listening to music. Mikey realized that doing these “normal,” kid things helped him keep his mind off his life-threatening disease.

Through Mikey’s strength, perseverance, and humor (and with the help of his doctors), he was able to do everything a teenager should, like fall in love with his best friend, go to prom, graduate from high school, and even attend Harvard University. But perhaps Mikey’s biggest accomplishment was starting the Mikey’s Way Foundation.

With the firsthand knowledge of how difficult the boredom of treatment could be, Mikey set out to help other children. Besides helping kids in need, working on the Mikey’s Way Foundation allowed Mikey to take his mind off his own uncertain future.

Mikey touched many lives, and we know that we were lucky to have Mikey touch ours. Please, help us carry out Mikey’s vision

With Warm Regards,

Barbara Landau