5/20/2011

Max's story featured on New York Times website

We know we owe a long-overdue update. This isn't that update :)

I had a loooooong update almost ready to be set free on the Internet, when the blog company that Max's Cancer is hosted by - Blogger (owned by Google) - had some difficulties. I (along with tens of millions of others) lost a total redesign of the blog plus the latest update that I was working on. Needless to say, I'm taking a break and am waiting for Blogger to stabilize, as well as see if restore the work that I had saved last week.

Things are good for our family - we're very busy with Touch A Truck. In the middle of all the work that she does for Touch A Truck, Melissa found some time to tell Max's story for a Patient Voices feature on childhood cancer. Max's cute mug was up on the home page of the NYTimes and their health section for most of the day yesterday. Hopefully, the six powerful stories in this series will help the person unaware of the unique challenges and needs of childhood cancer become more aware, and ultimately, care.




We got the opportunity to participate in the Patient Voices feature from earlier involvement with the NYT on their Life After Cancer photo series, which featured a photo of Hannah and Nic along with one of our two "stand ins" for Max in family photos: Max's stuffed Bruce the Shark. The photo (below) was used in a British magazine in March, and is going to be used in an American Cancer Society photo book to be published later this year. This is all part of our continuing effort to keep Max's story out in the public as we have done so since he was diagnosed. It's a tradeoff - you and your kid's privacy versus awareness. I'm not sure which path Max would have chosen if he were in charge, but it continues to feel like the right thing to do. Until if feels otherwise, we'll continue.


5 comments:

Anonymous said...

The first thing I do each morning is turn on the computer and check the headlines on the Times website. I recognized Max’s sweet face instantly. To hear Melissa’s words in her voice, telling Max’s story, your family’s journey, is touching beyond words. Clinical terms and stats are important, but personal stories will reach people, straight to their hearts. You don’t really know until you live it, then it is real. But hearing other’s stories is the next closest thing.

Much love,
Shirley
NJ

Anonymous said...

Well done, Melissa! Max was beautiful and I loved every minute of the 12 months I had with him! xolisa

rherbert said...

It is so hard to comprehend that it has been 2 1/2 years...you continue to amaze and inpsire me. I think of your Max often and that sweet smile and squeaky voice that I only came to know through photos and the videos you shared. My life it truly better having "known" Max. Thank you for sharing his beautiful life.

Bree said...

WOW! Still inspired! And that picture is priceless...bringing smiles and tears

rherbert said...

Max, I visited sunny California for the 1st time last week. I could not help but think of you at Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, and especially Lego Land. You often cross my mind and remind me to live my best life...all I have is today.

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