Why Me

Mike always had a heart for reaching out to those in need. He always wanted to make a difference in the world. When we were able, we regularly donated money to World Vision, a worldwide Christian relief organization. On the local -- and more personal -- side, Mike found and became interested in a Worcester, MA, charity called Why Me & Sherry's House. Mike found this charity several years ago while doing some online research for resources that could help him in his own battle, and he was instantly drawn to it. Why Me is a non-profit organization with a large residence that provides housing and resources to children fighting cancer. The place feels like a real home, with decorated bedrooms, living room, kitchen, play room, game room and reading room. Children and their families can stay there free of charge for as long as they need while they are receiving treatments at area hospitals. They even provide resources and outreach for the surrounding community. Countless families whose children are former patients have returned to volunteer their time or talents.
On December 2, Mom C. and I took a drive to Worcester to visit the house that Mike never got to see. You can feel the warmth, and when you're there you feel like you're being looked after by family. Even the office is filled with pictures of former patients and their families. We met with a couple of the women who work there and also dropped off bags of toiletries, food items, books, games and gift cards. When I had called to make the appointment to see the place, their response upon me giving my name was, "Oh, we've been wondering who Mike Coyne is." To date they've received nearly $3,000 in donations in Mike's name. I couldn't be more proud.




This is the "mother's bag" the new moms are given when they arrive at the house. It contains various toiletries, personal items and even a quilt to give them comfort during their stay.

A sports poster in the game room






They took the money from an old Monopoly game and used it to decorate the wall of the bathroom


Ben's Activity Center

The library and computer room

The pantry (which was filled with plenty of leftover cranberry sauce and the like from Thanksgiving donations)

Sherry


The kitchen, which looks out on the sun room so parents can keep an eye on their children while they play

The sun room, beautifully decorated with paper cranes



A former patient's mother painted this chair

This mural was also painted by a patient's mother

These were the books we donated. I wrote a message in each one

Before making our way to Worcester, we stopped at Mass General and dropped off a gift for the staff of the outpatient unit Mike went to for years. We bought a wooden K-Cup holder for their Keurig coffee machine, and had a plaque put on the front. Mike always got his cup of coffee upon arriving at his appointment -- black, no sugar -- while he waited for the doctor.

This was the gift for the inpatient floor, but we didn't drop this off that day. MaryEllen brought this by the following week. I just couldn't go back to that floor.