Max needs you to climb for a cure Jan. 30

The Big D Climb is Saturday January 30 at the downtown Bank of America Plaza. But before we hear the specifics, let’s meet a special little boy and Honored Hero named Max.

Max Hinojosa loves fire engines, trains and puppies. His love of fire engines is likely inherited from his daddy, Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) Lt. Cristian Hinojosa. Max is not only a very happy two-year-old boy, he’s also one in a million. Literally.

Max was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia (JMML) at just five weeks old. The disease affects only 1.2 people per million annually. A stem cell transplant is the only known cure and survival rates are dismal at best. Max’s doctors are at a ‘watch and wait’ approach for a possible stem cell transplant or future treatment.

Lt. Hinojosa and his DFR firefighting family are leading a team to climb, conquer and find a cure at the Big D event. Making this year’s Climb even more special is Max, named as the Honored Hero for the event.

“Max remains on chemotherapy and is no stranger to needle sticks, surgeries, marrow aspirations and a team of medical providers,” said Lt. Hinojosa. “He has not needed a transplant to date and we remain hopeful for a miracle.”

Any hope, any miracle, for a safe cure for JMML will be supported through the efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world’s largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The Big D Climb is a challenging stair climb up 70 stories of a skyscraper to raise money for LLS and their mission to find a cure and improve the life of afflicted patients and their families.

The 52-member strong DFR Team, a mix of long-time firefighters and fire academy recruits, has set a goal to raise $10,000 for LLS during the Big D Climb. They are currently within $2000 of this goal, and hope that the city and its communities will band together to support the team.

“I’ll be there climbing for Max and every other son or daughter who has trudged this road as we press on for a cure,” said Lt. Hinojosa.

Max will be there. And since there’s a very good chance he’ll see a fire engine or two at the event, there’s no doubt the smile on his face will motivate the efforts of those who are climbing for him so he can one day become a hero like his daddy.

To join the DFR team or contribute to their goal visit: http://events.lls.org/pages/ntx/bigdclimb/MAXDAD.