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Dr. Stephanie Clements, NBC NewsHe is only a teenager, but a cancer diagnosis drove Michael Friedman to start his own foundation to help other kids with cancer play while they heal. The generous teen is using his own 'make a wish' money to help kids cope -- Mikey's Way.
Toys, electronics, and more toys, wagonloads of games, it's every child's dream. But this, this is Mikey's dream.
Michael Friedman, Founder, "Mikey's Way": "I am a cancer patient myself and know that boredom is the hairiest part of cancer treatment."
Just shy of 17, "Mikey", Michael Friedman knows the ropes at the children's hospital.
Michael Friedman: "I used my Make a Wish to go on a shopping spree to buy games and electronics for kids who are in cancer treatment."
Kids like four-year old Mikayla Gilpin who is just beginning the fight for her life.
"She had brain cancer so they did the surgery "
It's only been a month since her diagnosis of brain cancer, Tough medicine to take. Then along comes someone like Mikey, and amid the syringes and IVs, Mikayla sees something she knows, something she likes.
"You found the red balloon!"
Before you know it, boys are back to being boys, and a little girl in isolation to keep germs away doesn't feel so isolated anymore.
While the machines count heart beats and medicine drops, Mikey counts smiles and blessings.
Michael Friedman: "My cancer is called DSRCT, it's extremely rare. I'm only the 66th person ever diagnosed with it."
One in millions for sure. One young man whose generosity here beckons more blessings from a grateful dad.
John Gilpin, Father of Mikey: "That God heals him, that's my wish for Mikey, that he's healed and I'll pray for him."
