Michael Thomas Treinen
May 31, 1988- May 25, 2008
"Every moment, every day, Michael lived"
Michael's Story
Michael Treinen was your typical 18 year old- well, maybe not so typical. He was a three sport athlete in high school- football, hockey, and lacrosse. He was often found at the gym- working out before or after a practice. Michael had a true passion for fitness, working on his car, and making people laugh. He was a happy kid! (The picture above is a perfect example...a cheerleading pose for his hockey picture???)
Michael enjoyed his three sisters- Meredith, Madeline, and Michele. He brought an energy into a room that touched many people. The sad part is- you don't see the impact until they are gone. Michael was diagnosed with Acute Myleoid Leukemia three weeks before high school graduation on May 11, 2007. (Cancer diagnosis on May 8th) He entered Riley Children's Hospital on May 14th to begin the fight of his life! Michael went through five intensive chemo treatments over a 7 month period- with round two sending him into ICU for three weeks. It was our first miracle- as he walked out of the hospital 6 days later. On December 11th- Michael was offically cancer free! Miracle #2 came our way!
Michael's remissison did not last long- he relapsed on January 25, 2008. Michael's smile did a fade a bit- he wanted to attend college in the fall but knew it was being delayed again. Michael again became focused on the fight and was ready to handle what was ahead of him. Michael needed a bone marrow transplant to survive- matches were found immediately but due to insurance issues and keeping the cancer under control- Michael never got to transplant. Michael became one of God's Angels at 6:26 a.m. on May 25th.
Meredith, Michael, Madeline at NHS Family Picture taken Nov. 2006 Michael "galumphing" in Michael and Eric Durr in Siesta Keys
graduation Germany Summer 2006 April 2007
Michael and Coach Dungy at Riley Irish Jake O'Brien with Michael Prom and the Boys- April 2007
May 2007 at Riley June 2007 Eric, Robbie, Michael, and Austin
A Few Things...
WHY ORANGE?
Orange is the official cancer color for leukemia. Orange became the color of Michael's Journey with Cancer with the Who? Mike T bracelets created and sold by his friends to assist our family. The orange bracelets were worn by many people across the United States and became our family's symbol of the fight. The entire senior class wore them at graduation- holding up their arms to show them off during the standing ovation given to Michael when he crossed the stage. The next infusion of orange came with the introduction of Who Mike T t-shirts brought out for the Light the Night Walk, sponsored by the Leumkemia and Lymphoma Society. Karli Davis had her birthday party at the event- raising money for the cause. Each of her guests received an orange Who? Mike T t-shirt- beginning the craze. What a great site when you see these t-shirts out and about!
Michael's greatest gifts during his fight were his friends and family.They were there for him every minute- cheering him over the next hurdle! The Riley Chidren's Hospital staff was amazing... they made Riley feel like home and they were so AWESOME with Michael. These people have touched the us forever- they do an incredible job day after day. They make you feel as if you are the only one they are taking care of....they make everyone feel special!
The Noblesville Lacrosse Team welcomed Michael as an assistant coach on their boys and later on... the girls team. Practices and games kept him busy and focused on something else besides his battle with cancer. He took these positions very seriously and loved every minute of it! On May 24th- a little less than 24 hours before he passed away, he found out that he had been named Indiana's Assistant Coach of the Year for lacrosse. It was the last big smile we got to see from Michael!
Michael was to go to Seattle for his bone marrow transplant. A few weeks before he was to leave, we were notified by Seattle that we did not have enough $$$ in insurance to confirm payment for Michael's medical treatment. They said for them to move forward- we needed to show insurance money or $500,000. Tom and I sent out a plea to our friends and family. We hoped that if we could get to $100,000 that we could get the donor match solidified as we tried to gain additional insurance. In four days, due to the dedication of our friends and family... we surpassed our goal which got things moving for Michael's transpant in Seattle and also got us enough TV and newspaper coverage to get ICHIA insurance in place in a matter of hours instead of days/weeks. The staff at Harris Bank, with Syd Loomis' leadership was a true model of what community was all about. They worked very hard that week as the lines were long at the drive through and in the building! One afternoon as I was dropping off Who? Mike T t-shirts to the bank staff- I saw Noblesville Bus drivers standing at every corner with signs- Help Save Michael Treinen's Life, as they collected money into their buckets. What a site to witnness! Thanks to everyone and their efforts! A true sign of community dedication. Even though the fundraising spread to different parts of the world- it started here in Noblesville. What a great place to be! This foundation has been created in honor of a wonderful community and their giving spirit for one of their own!
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The Michael Treinen Foundation Board
Board Executives: Tom Treinen, Kelly Treinen, and Meredith Treinen
Minors: Madeline and Michele Treinen
Board:
Ted Edwards Mitch Corry John Moore
Bobbi Davis Eric Durr Dave Johnson
Maribeth Ruth Lorri Brune
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Mission Statement and Goals of The Michael Treinen Foundation
(To be added soon!)
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Upcoming Events... Mark Your Calendars!!!
The 2nd Annual Michael Treinen Turkey Trot
5K Run/Walk
"The casual event to do before you eat too much!"
Thanksgiving Morning
November 26th @ 9:00 a.m.
7028 Oakbay Drive
Noblesville, In 46062
This event is free but donations are accepted.
Free t-shirt for a $20.00 donation
(With original artwork from Michael himself!)
Free t-shirt and Angel Coffee Mug for a $50.00 donation!
We hope to see you there!
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Blood Drives in Honor of Michael....
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Gifts presented in 2008
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Summer 2008 for a fellow Riley patient for alternative treatments that were not covered by insurance.
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Fall 2008 to an Indianapolis woman with cancer that was losing her home due to not being able to work.
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Fall 2008 to sponsor bone marrow registry drive through the Indiana Blood Center. Bone Marrow Drive was done at Purdue's Farm House Fraternity in honor of John Romine.
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FAll 2008 to assist an Indy Mom with cancer - to assist with medical bills
Gifts Presented in 2009
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February 2009: Bone Marrow Drive @ the Fisher Forum Ice Skating Rink in memory of Michael: registered 100+ for the bone marrow registry! YEA!
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February 2009: Bone Marrow Drive @ Farm House Fraternity at Purdue University in memory of John Romine
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March 2009: Bone Marrow Drive @ "I'm In" Conference
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Hockey Scholarship awarded to Brandon "BK" Keller
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Boy's Lacrosse Scholarship Awarded to David Jackson
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Girl's Lacrosse Scholarship Awarded to Marie Bradburn
Donations for 2009
- Eric and Casey Allen
- Noblesville Lacross Club: Mike T Alumni Game
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In Memory of Michael...
1st Annual Mike T Alumni Lacrosse Game
Retiring of Michael's Lacrosse Jersey- #43
June 6, 2009
Kelly, Madeline and Tom
PF Changs 1/2 and Full Marathon- Arizona
January 18, 2009
Meredith is all smiles as she finishes the race!
Meredith raised around $2600 for Team in Training- Leumkemia and Lymphoma Society
Meredtih after she completes the 1/2 Mom, Meredith, and Madeline after
marathon the race- a great day to volunteer
and run!
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Noblesville Hockey Club
1st Annual Alumni Game
December 29, 2008
The Noblesville Hockey Club sponsored its 1st Annual Alumni Hockey game on Monday, December 29th. The event brought almost all of the players back to play against the existing NHC team in orange alumni jerseys. Michael's teammates kept Michael in spirit- setting his jersey, picture, and famous yellow gloves on the bench!
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1st Annual 5k Turkey Trot- Support for Meredith in her first marathon run in
PF Changs Marathon in Phoenix, AZ on January 18, 2009!
She is running with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training.
The event, organized by Chris Yeakey, began at 9:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning in front of the Treinen's house. There were approximately 50 runners and walkers participating in the Turkey Trot- raising over $700.00 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society through Meredith's Team in Training. Thanks to all who attended- we'll see you next year!
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Retiring of Michael's Hockey Jersey and # 7
at The Fishers Forum Skating Rink- November 8, 2008
At the 6th Annual Miller Skate Night on November 8th, the Noblesville Hockey Club honored the memory of one of its founding players, Michael Treinen. In a ceremony before the game, the club paid tribute to a remarkable young man and his contributions to the club and the community by retiring his #7 jersey and placing it in a framed display in the Forum 2 hockey rink, the home ice for the Noblesville Hockey Club.
Quote from John Moore, coach of the Noblesville Hockey Club:
"Michael was one of those players who truly loved the game and played it with unmatched energy. If you saw Michael play, he was that player who flew when he hit the ice, totally at ease, balancing on an eigth of an inch of steel, starting, stopping, colliding, passing, scoring. His energy and ability were half the story. Michael understood the importance of the team as a whole. He was a teammate, firends, cheerleader, and drill sergeant all rolled into one person. Of all the players I have coached, Michael was one of the few who truly understood how lucky he was to have the opportunity to play the game. However, he also treasured the fun and the feeling of accomplishment attained from being part of a team played for each other, not just for victory. Tonight we honor Michael's "seize the day" attitude, sense of humor, love of the game, courage, and dedication to his teammates. These are qualities we hope successive players with the club strive to embody in their own lives on and off the ice."
