The Max Cure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation dedicated to funding research and providing financial support to low-income, military and first responder families who have a child battling cancer. On May 2nd, 2007 the day before his 4th the Plotkin family heard the devastating words that over 43 sets of parents are told every day in the U.S.
“Its malignant. Although there appea
red to be no evidence of major injury, Max was crying out in pain. His Mother instinctively knew there was something wrong so she took him to the pediatrician who recommended an x-ray. After seeing the results of the x-ray, the orthopedic surgeon recommended Max get a biopsy. The biopsy was scheduled for Monday. It was a very long and frightening weekend. On that Monday morning Max was diagnosed with a rare form of stage four, B Cell Lymphoma. This type of cancer had never before been seen by the oncologists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. The cancer which was in his right arm had metastasized to his left knee. His family was devastated. One thing that made Max’s cancer so unique was that although the cancer was found in his bone, it was not found in his blood or marrow. Max underwent two years of intense chemotherapy treatments. During his treatments, Max would carry a stuffed lion doll with him to the hospital. He said it helped him be brave. That is why our “mascot” is a lion, who is honorably named Lion Max, and our motto is Roar For A Cure. That first night in the hospital, I remember getting down on one knee and praying to a higher power. I made a pledge that if he got my son through this, I would dedicate my life to the fight against childhood cancer.
— David Plotkin, Max’s Dad
A Foundation Built Upon Life & Hope
Luckily today Max is considered a 10-year cancer survivor and is living a normal, healthy, happy life. All the while, David kept his promise. After learning first hand the reality of childhood cancer, and its severe lack of research funding, the Plotkin family created The Max Cure Fund which is earmarked for underwriting an immune cell therapy lab at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. This lab is dedicated to alternative treatments and innovative research for children and young adults who are battling cancer. Shortly after that, The Max Cure Foundation was born. Since then, Max Cure has added two additional programs to our mission statement including Roar Beyond Barriers, which provides financial support to low-income and military families who have a child battling cancer. In 2014 the foundation added advocacy to our mission as we continue to pursue legislative and regulatory changes seeking to benefit children with cancer and at the same time, raise awareness to the needs of those fighting pediatric cancers. Learn More About Our Mission at www.maxcure.org
© Max Cure Foundation, Inc.
560 Sylvan Ave, Suite 1225 Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
