Senator Hassan Delivers Senate Floor Speech Announcing Max Mendez of Merrimack as Granite Stater of the Month for December

Click here for footage of the floor speech.

 WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan spoke today on the Senate floor, where she announced that Max Mendez, an eight-year-old boy from Merrimack who started “Mighty Max’s Mega Toy Drive” while battling leukemia, is her “Granite Stater of the Month” for December.

After Max received toys from Boston Children’s Hospital as a reward for his courage during treatment, he started the “Mighty Max Mega Toy Drive” with help from family and friends to help resupply the Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children's Hospital's hematology and oncology unit with presents for brave young patients like himself. For more information on the toy drive, visit: facebook.com/mightymaxtoydrive/

Click here for video or see below for Senator Hassan’s remarks:

Mr. President, it is my honor to announce our latest Granite Stater of the Month, an inspiring, resilient, and generous young man from Merrimack, New Hampshire. Max Mendez, an 8-year-old boy, also known as “Mighty Max” and “Professor Max,” has battled leukemia for over a year, and he has proven to be a shining example of the values that make the Granite State – and all of our communities – strong.

As Max began treatment last year - procedures, blood draws, and tests at Boston Children’s Hospital - he was often recognized for his courage and grit. The hospital had a supply of toys and after these procedures he would often be rewarded with one them. Max received so many toys that he started to donate some of them to other kids, and realized that giving toys felt even better than receiving them. In the face of his own severe health challenges, Max started “Mighty Max’s Mega Toy Drive” to help supply the Jimmy Fund Clinic, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Boston Children's Hospital's hematology and oncology unit with presents for brave young patients like himself.

In true Granite State fashion, Max and his family received invaluable support from their community, including friends, local businesses, schools, sports teams, and the local police department. Max’s community donated toys, offered space as collection sites, and delivered donations to Max and the Mendez family. With extra help from his sister, Mckayla, and the Lyna family who helped advertise the toy drive and store donations, Mighty Max’s Mega Toy Drive received roughly 3,000 toys ahead of the holiday season this year.

Mighty Max, the Mendez family, and all of the Granite Staters who supported the toy drive demonstrate the spirit that makes New Hampshire such a strong, resilient state. While battling leukemia and enduring painful treatments, Max found it in himself to bring joy to others who face similar challenges, and his entire community – including people Max will never meet - is stronger because of his generous spirit and hard work. Max is an inspiration for all of us during this holiday season and beyond, and I am proud to call him our Granite Stater of the Month.

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