Michael Stanley was diagnosed with a very rare childhood cancer at age 4 in 2005. After facing
extensive surgery to remove a 10-pound tumor, 48 weeks of chemotherapy and 33 days of radiation, we are ecstatic to report
that he is cancer free. His parents were
so touched by Michael’s doctors and the outstanding staff at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
that they wanted to do something to show our gratitude. The Child Life Services Program served as the perfect opportunity
for us to develop an endowment fund to support this program that touches every child and every family. The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital includes the family as
an essential element of a child's treatment plan. The Child Life Services Program is a major component the family-centered
approach, providing education about diagnoses to patients and their siblings through methods of developmental play.
Michael's parents began The Michael Stanley Child Life Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle
Tennessee, with a lead gift of $25,000 and started an annual fundraiser to continue to build the fund.
tstanley@michaelstanleychildlife.com
