Max is 13 years old. He is in Year 8 at St Antonys. He is funny, clever, a little sarcastic at times but he has a huge heart and is very kind. Max is also a talented skateboarder he would regularly be at Davyhulme Park, he goes to tae kwondo at George Carnell and can play the guitar.

Max was happy and healthy. He was fit, going on 15 mile bike rides and playing badminton for hours. However just days after this, on the 19th May, he noticed some swollen lymph nodes on his neck. His mum took him to the GP the next day and he was told he would be referred for blood tests and a scan in the next 2 weeks. Max then started to feel sick and was taken to Salford Royal and the GP was contacted again. Both said he was fine and to wait for the appointments for the scan and blood test.

Max seemed to be OK and on the 26th May he had a good day at school and even went to the barbers for a haircut. Later that night he started complaining of a headache and then started being sick. His mum took him to A&E where they met his dad who had been working a night shift and very quickly Max became disorientated. The doctors became concerned about his breathing and believed he may have had a seizure. Max was put in an induced coma and was intubated with a tube to help him breathe. This all happened so fast and was terrifying.

It was unknown what was wrong, however an x-ray showed a large mass on his chest which was affecting his lung and it was believed he may have Leukemia.

Max was transferred to ICU at Manchester Children’s Hopsital via an ambulance and following scans and a biopsy it was confirmed that Max had T-cell Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Max went from being an active and strong boy to being in ICU. This was a terrifying time for Max’s parents who did not leave his side.

Max remained in a induced coma for 5 days. The consultant felt this was the safest way and Max began treatment which included lumber punctures, bone marrow aspirations and 4 different types of chemo including one into his spinal fluid.

Max is a true fighter and even the sedation couldn’t keep him down! He would hear his parents voices and try and wake up.

It’s a long road ahead for Max with the treatment for ALL being very intense for the first six months and then maintenance chemo continuing for 3 years.

Max remains in hospital for his treatment and his family is hopeful he will be allowed home in the next few weeks. He has a sister, 2 dogs and a tortoise who he misses very much and they miss him too.

Despite this, Max is being strong, he is building his strength and he is showing what a true fighter he is.