Max is a 21 year old from Central Florida. When Max was 19, he began experiencing muscle soreness and breathing issues. He went to his family doctor and was told since that he probably pulled a muscle while golfing. The symptoms continued to worsen over the following months. After going back to the doctor, Max was told he needed to have a full body bone scan. Results showed several areas in his ribs that may be cancer. He was admitted to Florida Hospital for Children in Orlando on February 2nd 2018 and diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.).

Max had to take a medical leave from the University of Central Florida, where he was starting his studies to become a Nurse Practitioner. After spending nearly a month in the hospital, he was released to finally go home. In between his regularly scheduled chemotherapy treatments, he and his father, Jay, continued to play golf.

Jay reached out to the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer, which created the connection to For a Day Foundation. Jay’s request for Max was to have a day of golf. So the Central Florida Chapter reached out to The Golf Channel Headquarters in Orlando and the local PGA Superstore to give Max a day of golf in Orlando.

With a date and time set to meet, Max and Jay were warmly welcomed by Alexzandra at The Golf Channel, where he was given a VIP tour of the facility. He saw every studio and newsroom in the building. He was able to sit in the chairs behind the desks on the sets of his favorite Golf Channel show, School of Golf with Martin Hall & Blair O'Neal…ranking at the top of his tour experiences. Along the way, he ran into a few of the Golf Central TV anchors preparing for Friday night’s show. He saw the actual Emmy Awards that Golf Channel has won over the years, and he was even allowed to sit in on an editing session for a show not broadcast on TV yet! After seeing the footage from the show, Max received a personal video message from Martin Hall and Blair O’Neal. At the end of his tour, The Golf Channel gave him a swag bag full of Golf Channel items, including a 2018 Masters flag signed by Max’s all-time favorite golfer, Tiger Woods!

The Golf Channel had one more experience up their sleeve. They asked Max to send in a video of his swing and had it analyzed on air by Martin Hall and Blair O’Neal! Check it out here: Click Here

In addition to the tour, the For a Day Foundation of Central Florida donated a gift card to TopGolf Orlando, so Max is able to spend time at the tee with his best friend (his father), and the local PGA Superstore donated a one year membership, which gives Max private lessons and access to their virtual golf simulators throughout the year.

I was able to meet with Max and Jay at TopGolf this weekend, and was able to watch him in action! We talked about the wonderful nurses that took care of him, his amazing and close knit family, and his new nephew (who is absolutely adorable)! I am happy to report that Max’s one year bone marrow transplant anniversary is on October 25th. They are awaiting another clean bone marrow result this week, so keep them in your prayers!