Meet Max, a local boy fighting cancer, helped by a loving community

Shirley Stirling

Sure, we often hear or read public announcements that blood or plasma is needed, but here’s a story from our own Bloodworks Northwest with a REAL LIFE example of why our donations are extremely important. 

Max Savolskis is a 12-year-old who lives right here in Thurston County and was diagnosed last year, on February 22, 2022, with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG)), DIPG is an invasive and lethal brain tumor that attacks children. 

Six days prior to his diagnosis, he was taken to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital due to a sudden and mystifying loss of motor function on the left side of his body. 

He transferred to Seattle Children's Hospital, and there received the devastating diagnosis of DIPG. He said goodbye to his hair on March 6, 2022, and instead of starting middle school in the fall with his friends, he used his time and energy to struggle with terminal brain cancer, fighting for more time. Still, with everyone working together, he has been able to attend school a small part of the time and even hang out with friends. The Bloodworks Northwest team and his family urgently ask the following: Please help spread Max's mission- that people live life to the fullest, not take any day for granted, and to give back to your community! 

According to Community Engagement Liaison Jenni McCoy, “The biggest barrier right now to his treatment is the lack of platelets he has been able to receive. On May 10, 2023 he needed a 2-bag-transfusion, but only one bag was available. On June 20^th, when he went in for his transfusion, his mom shared that the bag was only half full.” 

That’s when Max’s family and the Bloodworks Northwest team banded together. They put out a notice to friends, neighbors, and the community for a two-day blood drive, held on June 22 and 23. Luckily all appointments were filled and an after-party was held afterward, outside the East Olympia Fire Station #64. A fire truck was displayed, the blood donation bus was parked, and donations continued on-site. The after-party was a great event. Max, his mom, and brother Liam enjoyed the local musicians, food, a kid fun-pool, snow cones, and general celebration with their friends, neighbors, and community supporters. The donation slots were filled, and it was great to see the support this young hero had. 

In addition to the in-person drive, the blood bank is conducting a “virtual” blood drive where donors can share a unique donor code at their donation appointment anywhere within their footprint (Bellingham, WA to Eugene, OR). It all counts toward Max’s drive. Jenni McCoy reports, “As  of June 29, 197 blood donors have supported Max!” 

A loving community

Max's mom, Katy, explained many ways in which her best friend and employer, neighborhood, and community have helped Max and their entire family in this challenging time - even to the extent of helping them trade houses so that their family could live in a one-story home.

They live in a friendly neighborhood with a "hole" in the fence between their house and the house next door, so that kids and dogs can come and go as they wish. According to Max, the best part of this is, "being able to hang out with friends every day." This is just one of many ways they are supported by their neighbors. So, the platelet support is an important part – but not all of the bigger picture.

More about donations 

Only whole blood donations can be given in a blood drive. A small number of platelets can be derived from whole blood. Whole blood is very helpful but Max needs platelets.  If you are interested in helping out with platelets, first donate whole blood, as this is the first step toward donating platelets. A person’s first whole blood donation is analyzed to determine if the donor is eligible to make platelet donations.  

The blood bank did this blood drive to educate the community on the need for blood and blood products to be donated regularly. Since platelets can't be donated during a drive, the intention is for donors to have their platelets counted and to set up or schedule dates to donate platelets afterward. 

Also, Bloodworks always needs blood donations, especially during the summer months when people’s schedules shift and regular activities change.  Please make an appointment at https://www.bloodworksnw.org/donate 

Shirley Stirling, of Lacey, writes about good things people in Thurston County are doing. If you’d like to nominate someone to be profiled, contact her at shirley@theJOLTnews.com or comment below.