We’ve created a team for the 2025 37-Mile Challenge to honor Sam Day and raise critical funds for kids with cancer. Together, we’ll each move 37 miles in September and aim to raise at least $100 per participant.
Join our team, log your miles, and ask your network to support your movement. Or make a gift of $37 in honor of the forgotten—just like Sam’s favorite number.
We’re going the distance together. Let’s bring hope to the journey.
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Michael’s Story
"Michael is the oldest of three siblings in a warm, tight-knit, and loving home. He’s a gentle protector, an imaginative builder, a deep thinker, and a boy whose heart reflects the kindness of Jesus. His little sister Naomi and baby brother adore him. We as parents-Charlie and Kailee, are deeply involved and devoted—building a family rooted in faith, play, and purpose.
Just weeks ago, Michael was playing baseball with his dad (who’s also his coach), making Lego creations, reading books, going to church, and talking about his dream to become a doctor someday. When he’d fall down, he’d always smile and say, “That’s okay—I’m tough.” He still says it, even now.
But on May 28, our world turned upside down. Michael was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, an aggressive pediatric brain cancer. The tumor was wrapped around his cerebellum, and he quickly underwent brain surgery. It went well, thank the Lord—but the road ahead is long and uncertain.
A Long Road Ahead
Since surgery, Michael has been fighting through Posterior Fossa Syndrome, which affects his speech, balance, coordination, and ability to express his needs. Despite his frustration, fatigue, and pain, his spirit is strong—and his faith is even stronger.
On June 24, Michael had his first intial appointments at seattles children’s hospital and Fred hutch for starting a chemotherapy and proton beam therapy. He will have treatments for six weeks in Seattle followed by a year-long chemotherapy regimen (nine total cycles) back in Portland OR. which may include further hospital admissions depending on how his body responds.
We have stepped back from work to care for Michael full-time, while also trying to maintain stability for Naomi and baby brother, Gabriel at home. This diagnosis has deeply disrupted the rhythms of our lives- but not our love, faith, or determination.
Who Michael Is
Michael is a child full of goodness. He once made a heart out of perler beads with his dad. When his dad gave that heart to someone who was struggling, Michael didn’t get upset. He just asked, “Did it make her happy?” When told yes, Michael smiled.
That’s the kind of boy he is—selfless, wise beyond his years, and full of a compassion that can only come from a heart deeply connected to Jesus.
Hope Is Rising
Through all of this, we see God’s hand at work. Michael’s courage is breathtaking. His follow-up MRI showed no remaining tumor, and he’s beginning to regain speech and movement. He is a fighter—a little David staring down Goliath—and we believe with our whole hearts that God is not done writing miracles into this story.
From our family to yours: thank you. Your prayers, love, and generosity are carrying us through this storm.
Latest Update
Yesterday, we found out that Michael is in Group 3 Medulloblastoma. The lumbar puncture results are in—no metastasis of cancer cells, praise God!
However, Group 3 often places kids at high risk, which means treatment typically has to be more aggressive. We are still waiting on additional molecular testing, which will confirm his risk level and determine whether there’s a genetic mutation that might impact treatment or require our family to be tested.
We’re praying for a miracle—that somehow, Michael doesn’t have the high-risk level mutations that would require harsher treatment.
We’ve also learned more about the side effects of radiation—both acute and long-term. The most devastating of all: Michael will almost certainly have some degree of cognitive deficits. The doctor told us that some kids are able to go on and live normal, independent lives, while others will need help.
We are heartbroken by this. We pray we made the right choice for Michael.
We were told that without radiation, there would be a 50–60% chance of the tumor returning, and by then, it’s usually not curable.
We are leaning on faith, holding tightly to hope, and trusting God to guide every step. Please continue to pray with us for healing, wisdom, and strength for Michael and our whole family.”
