Hope lives on!

By Daniel DeLeon, Ewing sarcoma survivor

I was first introduced to MaxLove by a family member who heard about the upcoming 'Farm Walk' on the news in May of 2022. I was on my fifth month of chemotherapy, about to go to San Diego for proton therapy, when I attended the Farm Walk. At the event, I felt so invited, as the lady checking my mom and I in was so kind. 'Thank you so much for coming,' she said, as she looked at me with a warm smile. I formally met the lady later that day, who turned out to be Audra, the founder of MaxLove Project.
 
The Farm Walk was a relaxing break from the online homework that I couldn’t complete in the hospital. I got to pick vegetables and fruit; bright colored strawberries and dark purple berries, which I put in a basket to have for later. At the end of the Farm Walk, I planted a sunflower. I was prompted to write down an affirmation on a piece of paper, let the paper dissolve in a jar of water, and pour the water over my sunflower, which symbolized hope in my journey to beat cancer.
 
I beat cancer in October of that year, and had a full-circle moment when I volunteered at the Sunflower Installation Station at the Farm Walk this year. I helped instill hope in the community by guiding other children affected with cancer to plant a sunflower, just like I was guided a year earlier. Hope lives on!

From their various cooking classes for MaxLove families, to big events like the Farm to Fork Walk, MaxLove has continued to provide hope that childhood cancer can be overcome. The Fierce Foods Academy for MaxLove families is beneficial beyond the recipes taught. I’ve been able to meet other teens who have been in similar medical situations, which makes me feel that I am not alone. Seeing younger SuperKids playing together after the class establishes a sense of unity and hope in both beating cancer and trying to navigate remission.

Ever since I beat cancer and have been able to go out more, I’ve been volunteering for MaxLove whenever I can. I joined the Jr Board, and we recently had a great turnout at our Pickleball Tournament, where proceeds benefited MaxLove Project. It was great to see the community coming out to play pickleball for a cause, and it was also amazing to meet like-minded teenagers on the JR Board.

– Daniel DeLeon, Survivor of Ewing Sarcoma