Michael's Story
Michael was born on June 21, 2003, the first day of summer. “A super fun, awesome, amazing, loving, sports person”. This is how our son Michael described himself. Michael had an enormous enthusiasm for life and to Michael everything was “the best ever”.
Michael was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma on December 17, 2009. He fought bravely with “a nothing is going to keep me down” attitude. Michael succumbed to the cancer on November 29, 2013, the day after Thanksgiving – “Black Friday”. He was at home; in his favorite chair, surrounded by his family.
When we think of Michael, we think his true legacy is what he taught others about adversity; the challenges you face cannot and should not change you or stop you from living the life you want to live. He was wise beyond his years. Michael Feeney loved life. Having cancer wasn’t who he was. Michael was, in a sense…”everything but a kid with cancer”. He lived everyday laughing, playing sports, and hanging with his buddies. In addition to loving a good joke, he loved his family, he loved his friends, he loved a good book, he loved soccer, he loved school, he loved the NY Giants, he loved a well written TV show with a twist you didn’t see coming, he loved to make funny noises, he loved to dance, he loved to act, he loved music, he loved Lake George, and he especially loved Disney World. Michael died when he was 10 years old. But, in such a short life, he lived such a big life. No matter what difficulties he faced, you would always see a smile on his face.
Learn more about pediatric cancer
To give you a sense of who Michael was, even though he coped with a cancer diagnosis for 4 years beginning at the age of 6, he wanted to grow up and cure Type 1 Diabetes, a disease that afflicts his older sister. THEN, he wanted to cure pediatric cancers. Another example of Michael’s amazing character was his endless array of jokes that he would share with the staff at his cancer hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. His joke of the day was something that the entire staff seemed to look forward to when Michael came in for treatment. There are very few smiles on a pediatric cancer floor and Michael changed that when he was there. He was like the sun after a long winter, bright and bringing a smile to everyone who crossed his path.
An example of how Michael was wise beyond his years is when he proposed to our local Police force that there should be more positive interaction between the police and the community. Michael was the catalyst for the department establishing the Chief Michael Feeney Junior Police Academy in his memory. This academy brings to life Michael’s vision of a better understanding of community policing. It also shows the kids that the police are real people.
Michael Feeney’s Best Day Ever was and always will be inspired by our brave and kindhearted Mikey.
We chose to honor Michael’s memory through raising funds to support pediatric cancer and Type 1 Diabetes research, to support the Academy, and particularly to create “Best Days” for sick children and their families.
We invite you to join us in honoring Michael’s dream to one day cure Type 1 Diabetes and Pediatric Cancers by donating, attending our events, and by helping to raise awareness through word of mouth and social media.