Max, 28, has spent much of his life battling serious medical challenges. Now he is facing the toughest fight yet: a rare and aggressive Stage 4 lymphoma that has quickly spread throughout his body, including his bones.

Max has already faced more medical battles than most people encounter in a lifetime. From triple bypass open-heart surgery at just 6 months old to developing a rare autoimmune disease (EGPA) at 14, Max has spent a significant part of his life fighting to survive. Through countless hospital stays, surgeries, and treatments, Max’s courage, humor, and positivity have inspired everyone who knows him.

Two years ago, Max was diagnosed with Stage 4 aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After months of grueling chemotherapy, he fought his way into remission, and our family was incredibly grateful to see him begin rebuilding his life.

Recently, Max discovered a lump on his neck. After further testing, doctors delivered devastating news: a different rare and aggressive lymphoma has developed and spread throughout his entire body, including his bones.

Today, Max’s treatment options are extremely limited because of his underlying health conditions. He is also dealing with heart failure caused by severe malnutrition following his previous chemotherapy treatments.

The side effects from his prior cancer treatment were so severe that Max became unable to maintain a livable body weight. To survive, he had to begin Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) — a nutrient-dense formula delivered directly into his bloodstream through a central line. For more than a year, Max has depended on this nutrition for 12 hours every day just to keep his body nourished.

Because of these medical complications, Max cannot receive the full standard chemotherapy regimen or many of the immunotherapies offered to other patients. While most patients receive four or five chemotherapy drugs, Max’s body can only tolerate one or two.

Despite these limitations, his doctors at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center believe there is still hope.

The goal is for the chemotherapy he can tolerate to fight the cancer enough to make Max eligible for a donor stem cell transplant.

Max is also a passionate music producer. Music has always been one of the ways he connects with people and brings creativity and joy into the world. Even during long hospital stays, creating music has helped him stay hopeful and grounded.

Our family is doing everything we can to help Max keep fighting, but we cannot do it alone.

Our goal with this fundraiser is to help relieve the financial burden that comes with fighting a rare and complex cancer so Max can focus fully on healing.

If Max’s story moves you, we would be deeply grateful for any support — whether that’s a donation, sharing his story, or keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. Every act of kindness reminds Max that he is not facing this battle alone.

Funds raised will help support:

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance

• Treatment and hospital-related costs at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

• Travel to and from treatment

• Doctor-approved complementary therapies that may safely support his immune system during treatment

• Basic living expenses while Max focuses on recovery

Thank you for standing with Max and our family during this very difficult time.

With gratitude,

Emily, Heidi, Derek (in spirit ❤️), Mary & Terry