Our Family's Story
Compass to Care was founded because of the passion of Michelle Ernsdorff-May. She heard her parents talk about how much they struggled financially to make ends meet when she was fighting kidney cancer as a toddler. She heard her father talk about hitch hiking home from the Mayo Clinic, over 200 miles away, because he did not have the money to get back to work when she was unexpectedly hospitalized.
Michelle realized far too many families, today, have to travel for their child’s cancer treatment and are facing similar financial struggles. From this personal experience, the mission of Compass to Care evolved.
With a passion for making a difference, Michelle founded Compass to Care, The Mike & Sandy Ernsdorff Childhood Cancer Foundation in honor of her parents.
Mike Ernsdorff hitch hiked over 200 miles home, when Michelle was unexpectedly hospitalized, because he did not have enough money to pay for a car rental or bus ticket.
Compass to Care is named in honor of Mike Ernsdorff and he has been a Board Member since its inception.
Sandy Ernsdorff was a constant caregiver for Michelle when she was fighting cancer, during which she was pregnant and gave birth to her 4th child.
Compass to Care is named in honor of Sandy Ernsdorff and she has been a Board Member since its inception.
Our History
April 1973
Compass to Care’s Founder was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor, a rare form of kidney cancer.
Founder Diagnosed with Cancer
September 2009
Compass to Care was incorporated in the State of Illinois.
March 5, 2010
Compass to Care receives its 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS. This marks the official beginning of our charitable organization.
501(c)(3) Granted
May 2010
Compass to Care extends support to very first child, 12-year-old Austin who was traveling from Dubuque, Iowa to The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital for lymphoma treatment.
February 2020
Compass to Care reached the milestone of helping children with cancer travel 2 MILLION MILES to access life-saving cancer treatment.