Hi! I'm Maxim Hurst. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 7 months old.  (What we would find out was anaplastic ependymoma) After coding and suffering a stroke, enduring a 9 1/2 hour brain tumor resection, a shunt placement, a port placement, having a trach placed, a g tube placed, among several other procedures and tests, I persevered and got to go home. That original hospital stay was 8 weeks! I had to go back because of a shunt infection less than 3 weeks later and stayed in the hospital almost 3 weeks. But during that stay, I was weaned off the ventilator! I was a strong little boy who made it through only because of God's grace. I received so many miracles I was known as 'Miracle Max'! We had excellent care from fantastic doctors at East Tennessee Children's Hospital and for that we are grateful. After one year of being declared cancer free for the first time, my cancer returned. I underwent another resection and more radiation (33 treatments). I passed away in September 2017 after a long and brave battle. During my five short years here on Earth, I know I touched many lives and was loved deeply by family and friends. My life was a brief gift, yet my memory will live on in the hearts of those I left behind. Pediatric cancer is in desperate need of funding and support. I hope Max's story will lead you to get involved! Thank you for supporting me and the more than 300,000 kids worldwide who will be diagnosed with cancer this year. By sharing the gifts of your time, talent and money with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, you're supporting research to give all kids with cancer a better chance for a cure.