SUMMIT, N.J. — Max Gottstein is an energetic five-year-old who was recently diagnosed with treatment-induced acute myeloid leukemia after years of fighting a rare eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Despite his battle, Max remains an imaginative, happy and strong little boy.
Max has received many blood and platelet transfusions as part of his treatment, and he will require a future bone marrow transplant. As a result, Max and his family understand the critical importance of donating blood, especially during the summer months when donation numbers decrease because of vacations and school breaks.
To help those in need, Max and his family are sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive—In Honor of Max—on Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Wilson Primary Center, 14 Beekman Terrace, Summit, New Jersey.
The blood drive is being held in conjunction with bone marrow screenings through
Be The Match. In addition, Max’s family will collect toy donations for children ages 18 months to 10 years for
Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Toys, including crafts and board games, should be new and unopened.
To make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit
redcrossblood.org, sponsor code In Honor of Max.
For those who are unable to make it out to the drive on July 23, Max’s family is also hosting a virtual “Sleeves Up” campaign from July 1-31. Visit
redcrossblood.org/sleevesup and search for In Honor of Max to pledge your support. Then, schedule an appointment to donate blood at a time and location that is convenient for you.
Donate Blood in Honor of Max Gottstein
Wilson Primary Center, 14 Beekman Terrace, Summit, New Jersey.
Sunday, July 23, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sponsor code: In Honor of Max
How to donate blood
A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a home or work computer prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit
redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit
redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at
@RedCross.
