What Would You Do if You Were Given One Wish?

Mikey's Way Foundation expands from hospitals to Ronald McDonald House New York on Saturday June 5th

WESTPORT Conn., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Given one wish from Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2005, "Mikey" Friedman built a lasting legacy that continues to grow and flourish today.

Mikey's Way helps children with cancer escape the fear, isolation and boredom of prolonged and often debilitating hospital stays by providing them with handheld interactive electronics. Founded by Michael "Mikey" Friedman, who, at age fifteen, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Mikey understood what it meant to go through chemotherapy treatment, and wanted to help other children who were suffering. Mikey created the Mikey's Way Foundation after using his Make-A-Wish gift to buy a cart full of hand held portable electronic gaming equipment. He then headed to his local children's hospital where he went room-to-room and gave it all away.

Mikey passed away in October, 2008 but his legacy lives on through the Mikey's Way Foundation. Les Friedman, CEO of Mikey's Way Foundation and Mikey's Dad, states, "June 5th celebrates our biggest undertaking and also marks our 2,000th give-away." Friedman is especially pleased by the Foundation's alliance with the Ronald McDonald House New York because it serves entire families who are affected by the treatment. "These are the children that deserve the best we can give them," says Friedman.

Ronald McDonald House New York provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. Ronald McDonald House New York is the largest facility of its type in the world. The House can accommodate 84 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House's location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 14 major cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area. For more information, visit www.rmdh.org.

Mikey's Way Foundation relies on private donations. The Foundation has an additional 7 Mikey's Way Days this year and hopes to raise enough funds to provide each child in need with fun, interactive handheld electronic toys and games to help kids cope. … Mikey's Way.     www.mikeysway.org

SOURCE Mikey's Way Foundation