When the ER doctor said, “We suspect your son has leukemia and you are being admitted to the PICU tonight,” those words stayed with me—and I’ll never be the same. It’s been two years since our sweet boy, Max, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). At just two years old, he faced more than any child ever should. Cancer has taken away so much of his childhood—milestones, playdates, even the simple joy of feeling well.The cancer journey is so ugly, hard, and just dark. But there is light—in people and in hope. As parents, we’re still trying to figure it all out. And Maxwell’s Toy Box has become a way for us to share our story, bring awareness, and give back to families who are walking this same impossible road.

When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the entire family steps into a world none of them were prepared for. Parents juggle work, hospital schedules, and rising expenses. Siblings adjust quietly in the background — often spending long days in waiting rooms, tagging along to appointments, or simply trying to understand why everything at home feels different.Our son Max was diagnosed at age two, and even now, years into treatment, we see how childhood cancer reshapes daily life. The medical care is intense, but the financial and emotional strain on families is just as real.Families often face:

• 80–120 appointments in the first year
• 20–40% income loss
• Food insecurity and rising transportation costs

Many support programs meet the needs of the child in treatment, but families experience the impact together. Our work helps fill that gap by offering care to the entire family — including siblings who often go unsupported.

What It Means to Adopt a Family: Your support provides relief exactly where families feel the strain the most:

Each adopted family receives:

$50 gas gift card
$100 grocery gift card
A toy up to $25 for the child in treatment and each sibling

Siblings are often the unsung heroes of the cancer world. They wait through appointments, they adjust to new routines, and they carry more than most adults realize. Including them in this support reminds them they matter, too — and they are seen.

This support lifts a real burden: getting to treatment, keeping meals steady, and giving children moments of comfort during long, difficult days.

Every dollar helps us respond the moment hospital social workers reach out about a family in need. Your generosity makes space for parents to breathe and for siblings to feel valued during a season that is anything but normal.If you're looking for a tangible way to make a difference for families facing childhood cancer, adopting a family is one of the most meaningful ways to do it.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help—this is it.

Let’s Pack the Joy—together.

With gratitude,
Dina Besic
Mom + Founder, Maxwell’s Toy Box
www.maxwellstoybox.com

Maxwell’s Toy Box earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest level of recognition from Candid, a national organization that verifies nonprofits and rates their transparency so donors can give with confidence.

This seal reflects our commitment to being open, accountable, and dedicated to our mission: bringing comfort and support to children in cancer treatment and their families, year-round.

As a volunteer-run organization, 100% of your donation directly supports families, children, and partner hospitals.

Maxwell’s Toy Box is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lake Bluff, IL. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN: 99-1719585.

Pack the Joy: Adopt a Childhood Cancer Family

Your support helps families with groceries, gas, and meaningful comfort for children in treatment and their siblings.

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