Max's Ring of Fire supports the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium or NMTRC. Based in Michigan but with core sites in San Diego, St. Louis, and Orlando, this pediatric oncology research and translational medicine program's mission is to provide children with more precise, predictive approaches to treating advanced neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma.
We need your DONATIONS to help us give researchers and doctors the tools they need. 100% of every donated dollar is guaranteed to fund meaningful neuroblastoma research and clinical trials NOW!
An ongoing inspiration for many people, Max was born on June 30, 2001. He was diagnosed with stage IV, high-risk neuroblastoma in October 2004. He whizzed through frontline treatment and by the following summer was effectively on the road back to a "normal" life - albeit with almost total hearing loss, a new immune system, and about 10lbs to gain back, all courtesy of Mr. Chemo.
Unfortunately, Max relapsed (as most high-risk NB patients do) in November 2006. Max fought bravely, entering a clinical trial in Vermont where he received nifurtimox in combination with other chemo agents. This combination diminished the disease until there was just one tiny spot still evident on his spine. But in February 2008 the beast came roaring back and we could never control it again, despite everything we tried. Max passed away on August 31, 2008 at 8:45pm in his mommy and daddy's bed.
Max's Ring of Fire in the Media
San Diego, CA – March 15, 2011- Max's Ring of Fire is gearing up to bring back its annual Touch-A-Truck fundraiser, from 10AM – 3PM on June 4, 2011 at Torrey Pines High School. As always, 100% of the money raised goes directly to support cutting-edge research and clinical trials for childhood cancer.
Amy Crisman, oncology nurse at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, has a heart of gold. She’s been working in the children’s cancer unit for 23 years, has seen miraculous recoveries, and experienced the loss of too many children to childhood cancer. Crisman frequently participates in fundraisers that benefit children with cancer, and helps wherever she can. She has been a strong support to Melissa Mikulak of Carmel Valley whose son, Max Mikulak, lost his battle to cancer at age 7. When Melissa Mikulak asked Crisman if she could hang a few fliers at the hospital for an upcoming kids’ cancer fundraiser, she naturally said yes.
The parents of children battling a very deadly pediatric cancer, or who have lost a child to this disease, have united to help fund the efforts to try and save kids battling relapsed neuroblastoma. This spirit of collaboration mirrors the doctors who are collaborating for a cure as part of the NMTRC consortium.
Kids and their parents can revel in the sights, sounds and feel of a fun assortment of vehicles at a cancer fundraiser called Touch a Truck, planned at Torrey Pines High School next month.
The Max's Ring of Fire organization is hosting Max's Holiday Garage Sale, an online auction fundraiser through the eBay Giving Works program.
AUDIO SLIDE SHOW. Dr. Giselle Sholler and her patients talk about Nifurtimox, a new treatment for neuroblastoma patients at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
A Carmel Valley father who lost his son to relapsed neuroblastoma last year is championing a group of doctors dedicated to finding a cure for the fatal disease.
May 19, 2011
