Michael Dosedel
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy (ages 5-17)
2009 National Philanthropy Day

At the age of three, Mike woke up from a nap and told his mother that his leg hurt. When the pain did not disappear, Mike’s mother, Ginger, took him to the pediatrician who referred them to a hematologist/oncologist. Mike was diagnosed with stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare muscle cancer that had a very poor prognosis for survival.

After a trip to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for a second opinion and subsequently 13 months of chemotherapy and radiation, the Dosedels were sent home, advised to start planning their toddler’s funeral.

Fast forward 12 years, and Mike is now 16 years old, the sole survivor from his research group. Although now remarkably in remission, the radiation treatment has caused other complications. Mike has undergone more than thirty six surgeries and has had to wear a fixator on his leg to stretch the bone on three different occasions as well as multiple hip and back surgeries.

Mike served as an Ambassador for the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton during the 2008-2009 year. In this role, he represents the patients and is frequently called upon to speak at various fundraisers, advocacy events, and cancer awareness programs. Mike currently serves on the Dayton Children’s Kids Speak Advisory Council and can be relied upon to provide useful feedback from a patient’s perspective on a variety of hospital topics such as how to provide a child-friendly environment at the hospital, distraction and play items, and menus.

Several years ago, Ginger and Mike were watching injured soldiers being interviewed on a news special. Ginger was shocked that the soldiers were simply wearing drafty hospital gowns on television. Mike, at 11 years old, remarked, “Well, Mom, no one’s sewing them clothes.”

Mike’s observations as well as his own experience with wearing a fixator inspired the development of Sew Much Comfort, a national non-profit organization that makes adaptive clothing for recovering service members, free of charge.

Mike is an exceptionally bright and articulate young man. He is a passionate advocate for cancer awareness, the American Cancer Society, Dayton Children’s, Sew Much Comfort, and the United States Armed Forces. (He’s also equally passionate about the Green Bay Packers.)

Currently, Mike is a sophomore at Carroll High School. As an aspiring orthopedic surgeon or diagnostician, Mike enjoys combining his love for sports and his interest in medicine. Without question, Mike plans to always give back and help others. He is positive, intelligent, and a wonderful example of what determined young people do to better the Dayton community.