In Memory Of Mike Van Aken

Dear friends and family,

It is with unbelievable, heartbreaking sadness that we share that our amazing Mike Van Aken has passed away after a short battle with the return of his cancer.   I could write a book on how wonderful this man was, and what I have witnessed of his life -especially these last 26 days.  But I know I don’t need to because he loved so many of you, made so many of you feel better just by his presence in your lives - you know his goodness yourselves.

Mike was the “George Bailey” of our lives. Like the character from It’s a Wonderful Life, Mike was a rich man because of the vastness and deepness of his love: for his beloveds- Brigid, Megan and Mikey and his extended family; love for his army of friends, and love for his community. His kindness and constant drive to help others have changed the lives of many. The man who showed up for every person he knew needed him and even those he didn’t know. Mike has been a co-chair for the St Baldricks pediatric cancer event for 10 years, raising over $1,000,000 for kids because he couldn’t stand to see them suffer.

NOW IT’S OUR TURN TO Honor him by helping the family he adores. Their medical bills are large, they have funeral costs and because of the cancer diagnosis 11 years ago, they were unable to have life insurance. Now they have life without Mike AND Brigid’s own health issues. Please donate anything you can at this incredibly difficult time to help Brigid and the kids.

Thank you with love, #2 and Captain -as Mike called us...