The Annese Family (Max's Medical Expenses)

The Annese family (Erin, Mike, Lucy, Max, Charlie, and Ruby) have recently learned that Max requires a specific medical treatment that is only offered in the United States. Many of us know the Annese family through Lady Blue Knights Lacrosse, Whitby Hockey, DDSB, Mississauga Fire Services, and more!

If you don’t know Max, he is a grade 11 student, hockey player, brother, and son. Max was four years old when he was diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), a condition that can lead to heart attack and stroke. At five, Max began having seizures and tests revealed two tumours growing in his brain. Max continues to have focal seizures in his right hand today. Max had his first brain surgery at age five to have the tumours removed and was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis Type 2. Neurofibromatosis (NF) causes tumors to develop in various parts of the body, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The condition occurs because of a gene abnormality. Max has tumours behind his eye, on both his cochlear (ears), and one currently in his brain. Max has been attending Sick Kids every 6-9 months, for MRIs to monitor the growth of his tumours.

At age 10, after an MRI showed a brain aneurysm and tumour growth, Max had his second brain surgery to clip the aneurysm and the first tumour removed again. Now at age 16, Max has had his third brain surgery to remove another tumour found on his brain. Tests revealed that this tumor is a meningioma grade 2, which can often turn into cancer. While Max’s tumour was not cancerous, it contained atypical cells which means the tumor will grow back at a higher risk of being cancerous. Doctors have advised that the best treatment for Max is proton radiation which is currently only available in the U.S. Max requires daily treatments over a 9-week period, which means moving to the U.S. for the duration of treatment. The Annese family is currently preparing for Max and Mike (Dad) to temporarily move to Florida to give Max the best chance at shrinking the tumour and reducing the risk of future complications.

While the cost of the treatment is covered, the Annese family is required to pay for accommodations, meals, and travel expenses, estimated at over $10,000 for the 9 week period.

The Annese family are not strangers to our community, the are extended family to most, always volunteering and giving back in many ways. Now is the time we can offer support to Max and his family by relieving some of their financial burden so they can focus energy on their family at this stressful time. We are hoping this GoFundMe can reach everyone that the Anneses have supported and connected with over the years. Please share this link; any little bit will help, as this was such an unexpected turn of events in Max’s treatment plan.