Remembering Michael Wanser

They spend so much time in the hospital, away from family, friends, and their community, yet they inspire us every day with their courage, strength, determination, and humor. They are true warriors in mind, body, and spirit.

Our son, Michael Wanser, was one of those kids. He battled acute myeloid leukemia and died eleven months later at the age of six. We spent 230 days in the hospital over the course of that time, and Michael enjoyed watching racing and sports, playing video games, and getting visits from drivers, players, and team mascots when he couldn’t leave the hospital. The athletes would try to beat him at his favorite video games, and the mascots would make him laugh and forget why he was in the hospital. Those visits made a huge difference in the quality of Michael’s hospital life, and in that spirit, we want to give that experience to other kids with your help.

We are partnering with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital to design a specialized room for long term hospitalizations, that brings the city of Indianapolis and Indiana sports teams and mascots to the hospital room walls. Whether it’s a 5 year old girl or 16 year old boy fighting cancer, seeing mascots racing around the city will remind hospital-bound kids that their teams and their city are supporting them in their race to get better.

We invite you to join us in this room project with Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital to encourage more kids to keep fighting. Your participation would mean so much to our family as we honor Michael’s life. Together, we can make a lasting impact on kids battling cancer and give them hope in their race to live.