Our Family's Story
Compass to Care was founded out of Michelle Ernsdorff-May’s deep personal experience and passion. As a child, Michelle battled kidney cancer, and her parents’ struggled financially during that time. Her father once recounted hitchhiking over 200 miles home from the Mayo Clinic after an unexpected hospitalization because they couldn’t afford the journey back to work.
Recognizing that many families today still face these same hardships when traveling for their child’s cancer treatment, Michelle felt compelled to act. From this personal journey, Compass to Care’s mission was born.
Driven by a desire to make a lasting 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.