“Mom, do I have a match?” These were the words of Michael Wrobel as he was fighting his personal battle against Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. But on June 10, 1996, Michael lost his hope for survival at age 11. It was a sad day for all who knew and loved Michael. Yet his special characteristics and unique personality live on through “Michael’s Fund.”.

“Michael’s Fund” was started by Michael’s family and friends shortly before he passed away. At that time, his only hope for survival was a bone marrow transplant. However, the odds of finding an exact match for Michael were astronomical. A match, though, was not found in time to save Michael’s life. But a match can save someone else’s life. That’s why “Michael’s Fund” continues today. It serves as a memorial to our beloved Michael in the hope that other families will not have to suffer the emotional and financial burden of finding a match. For Michael, it was a constant battle from the day he was diagnosed. Although he can no longer fight for himself, we can help others fight cancer through Michael’s Fund. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. From the creation of Michael’s Fund in 1996 to the present day, Michael’s Fund has:

• Raised over $856,500 dollars

• Sponsored more than 1,700 drives

• Improved marrow typing of 6,191 donors

• Recruited over 51,500 individuals into the “Be The Match” National Marrow Donor Program

• Helped 280 children and adults receive marrow transplants

Dear friends of Michael’s Fund

Thank you for contributing with open and generous hearts to Michael’s Fund for so many years. Your devoted support impacts our very significant cause of saving lives through funding improved marrow typing, which translates into more potential marrow matches for victims of cancer and other serious blood diseases. We depend and count on your help. For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity to assist us, we invite you to join others in a true spirit of giving to a worthwhile cause.

Michael’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which functions solely through the efforts of a core group of dedicated volunteers. Therefore, the proceeds of any fundraising go directly into the mission stated above. By financially supporting more refined and advanced marrow typing, targeting younger potential marrow donors, Michael's Fund contributes to the probablility of increasing the number of successful, lifesaving marrow transplants.

Our major fundraiser, the Twenty-first Annual Michael’s Fund Golf Tournament, will take place at the Fall River Country Club on Monday, July 8, 2019. It does not matter whether you are a golfer or not. You can support us either by offering a monetary donation (PayPal is available through this website) or by contributing a gift item or gift certificate for the raffle/auction portion of the tournament. Specific donations of water, soda, ice and the like are also appreciated. Your generosity will certainly be acknowledged in our tournament booklet. If you do join us as a golfer, be ready for some fun, excellent food and the opportunity to win a variety of prizes and/or cash.

We are sincerely grateful for whatever effort you make in helping this noble charity. We are certain you will agree that there is no greater feeling, no greater privilege than that of sharing in the saving of a life.

Gratefully,

Michael’s Fund Committee

CB&I

Michael’s Fund would like to say thank you to CB&I (Chicago Bridge & Iron Company). On April 15, 2015, CB&I held a Wear Jeans day at their Canton office and raised $1,800 for our organization. Special thanks to Rosemary Eva and Roseanne Leblanc for their efforts in organizing the event and assuring its success.

Today, more than 500 patients receive marrow transplants each month…

To join, visit: join.bethematch.org/mcihaelsfund

Young Eli was so grateful for being given this lifesaving gift that for his 8th birthday in 2012, he was determined with his family’s help to raise at least $500 for three charities connected with his recovery. One of these was Michael’s Fund. He ended up raising $1,100 for each of his three charities. Eli held a second birthday fundraiser in 2013 for his 9th birthday, and donated over $1,200 to each of his three chosen charities, including Michael’s Fund. Thank you Eli!

With generosity such as Eli’s, Michael’s Fund was able to fulfill its mandate to give cancer patients such as Eli the “Promise of Another Tomorrow”. Through the end of 2018 Michael’s Fund has financed over 1,700 marrow drives at the cost of over $856,500 and has entered over 51,500 individuals in the national “Be the Match” registry. 313 marrow transplants have resulted from Michael’s Fund drives.

As we are organizing the 23rd Annual Michael’s Fund Golf Tournament, Eli’s donation and request to continue our work provides us with much needed encouragement. In addition Eli’s mom Mary Ann Lana wrote, “Eli’s life was saved before he was even born thanks to Michael”. Such a pronouncement reconfirms the importance of Michael’s Fund. And so with your support we continue the work begun 23 years ago.