Max Levine and Matt Schechter met at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Voorhees (NJ) Oncology Clinic in the summer of 2005. Both boys were dealing with cancer – Matt with a high risk form of leukemia and Max with neuroblastoma. Over the months they became friends and when Max entered the same high school as Matt, they found themselves spending lots of time together, especially in the nurse’s office. They both loved video games, scary movies and roller coasters; and because both were dealing with cancer, they understood the daily challenges each faced. This made their relationship very special, filled with great respect for one another. The friendship between the boys brought our families together as well.
When Max passed away in 2008, the Levine family started the Max Levine Fund for Neuroblastoma Research through Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF). Max had the same disease as Alex and all funds raised went directly toward neuroblastoma. Matt and the Schechter Family were very involved in the fund from all aspects.
In 2010, Matt lost his 7-year battle with leukemia. Before he passed away, he asked if he could have a fund through ALSF like his best friend did. He wanted things to be better for other kids and families; and like Max, Matt wanted a cure for cancer.
To honor both our sons, the M&M (Max & Matt) Fund for High Risk Pediatric Cancer was formed from Max’s Fund. The monies our families raise together are directed toward research into high risk pediatric cancers, such as the ones that took Max and Matt.
