Our friend, Max Schwarz, needs your help.

Max was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in July 2020. After 30 days in Vancouver General Hospital and four rounds of chemotherapy as an outpatient in Vancouver, Max was in remission. He kicked cancer’s butt and we were over the moon for Max to be back home in Abbotsford.

Unfortunately, on Thursday, June 10th, 2021, Max received a call from his doctor that his blood work did not look good. He was immediately asked to go to Vancouver General Hospital for a biopsy where they discovered his cancer is back. We are all still in a state of shock and disbelief. Max was finally starting to feel back to himself - truly no symptoms to warn him that this grueling disease had reared its evil head yet again. Max had just re-insured his car before the news, and was in the process of drafting an email to his employer about a gradual return to work. He and his partner, Kaitlyn, even added a sweet golden retriever puppy named Nova to their family, as life finally began to feel like it could return to normal.

This was not supposed to happen. The Schwarz’s were told by his oncology team that he is part of an unlucky 10% of individuals who unfortunately must face this terrifying endeavour again.

On behalf of the Schwarz Family, we are creating this GoFundMe campaign with the hope of easing the steep financial costs associated with this next phase in Max’s cancer journey.

What is next for Max?:

• Another Admission to Vancouver General Hospital;
• At least 2 more rounds of chemotherapy (possibly more);
• A bone marrow transplant with a lengthy recovery period.

What does this mean?

Max has to undergo 7 to 8 more months of treatment, which requires him to be away from home and live within close distance to Vancouver General Hospital for his safety. Unfortunately, this entails an accumulation of costs (outlined below) that they cannot cover. Max has not been able to work for a year and the Schwarz‘s, along with family and friends, financed the first battle. They are worn thin–financially, emotionally, and spiritually. They need our help.

Max is the centre of his family and our circle of friends. He is a source of laughter, the ideas guy and one heck of a dog dad. We desperately hope to see him healthy and at home soon.

Thank you for reading the Schwarz’s story; we wish it was a happier tale to tell.

Upcoming Expenses:

• Accommodation in Vancouver for 7 - 8 months
• Medication not covered by Fair Pharmacare
• Cost of living in Vancouver for 7-8 months (Food, Transportation, Insurance, etc.)
• Fuel costs-- each trip to the hospital is around 160km

If you are unable to assist Max financially, there are other ways to help!

1. Register to be part of the Stem Cell Registry at http://www.blood.ca if you are between 17 and 35 years old.

2. Donate blood. Max and other blood cancer fighters get multiple blood transfusions a week when they are going through chemotherapy.

3. Messages of support, check-ins, prayers, and good vibes go a long way. This disease affects the entire Schwarz family and they will need your encouragement to get through this unbearably difficult time.

Thank you,

Joon, Ken, Kraig, and Marc