Be a hero for kids with cancer! Join this Saddleback Community event, and whether you decide to shave your head, volunteer, or donate, we hope you'll be a part of the excitement! The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity that funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the U.S. government. BUT, this event is a little more close to home for the Saddleback Community.

Meet SuperMax.

When he was just four-and-a-half-years-old he was diagnosed with brain cancer. The very next day Max was rushed into brain surgery and the tumor was partially removed. Over three weeks later he was released from the hospital and started a journey that would include one and a half years of chemotherapy, four more brain surgeries, and 30 rounds of radiation.

And yet today Max excels in school, is learning tennis, and plays little league. Despite lingering effects from brain surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, Max is able to be a regular 8 year old boy. Max’s parents believe this is possible because his full treatment didn’t stop with these conventional therapies. Max also had access to a host of integrative therapies like positive healing narrative support, acupuncture, massage, regular exercise, optimal sleep, and most importantly evidence-based anticancer nutrition.

Inspired by Max's cancer journey, Max’s parents Audra and Justin started the MaxLove Project, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the odds for childhood cancer survivors by providing integrative therapeutic resources to families battling cancer. They believe that survivorship starts day #1 and that each child can be empowered to thrive through treatment and beyond. They have chosen to establish the MaxLove Project Hero Fund in order to fund research on the effects of nutrition in pediatric cancer treatment.

 Audra graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University with a Masters degree in Philosophy and Education.  She's been working as an educator, specializing in student leadership development in higher education for over 13 years.  8 of those years at Saddleback. She has implemented many programs, such as the Campus Life Squard, Leadership Lab and has overseen the Associated Student Government, as well. Audra has recently resigned as the Director of Student Life and is now going to focus solely on her main passion, the MaxLove Project.