When the ER doctor said, “We suspect your son has leukemia and you are being admitted to the PICU tonight,” those words stayed with me—and I’ll never be the same.

It’s been two years since our sweet boy, Max, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). He was just two years old. He just turned 5 years old. Cancer has taken away so much of his childhood—milestones, playdates, even the simple joy of feeling well.

The cancer journey is ugly, heavy, and filled with moments no child should ever have to face. No parent should ever see. But there are moments of relief—in people, in kindness, and in hope. As parents, we’re walking this road every day, one appointment and one decision at a time. And Maxwell’s Toy Box has become our way to share our story, lift other families, and bring comfort to children walking this same impossible road.

One of the gaps we fill is delivering Brave Bags to children in cancer treatment. Each one is filled with activities, sensory items, and comforts designed to help with the stress and anxiety that children experience during treatment. Something to hold onto when the days feel long.

Our volunteers put each Brave Bag together by hand, and we deliver them four times a year to children at our partner hospitals:

Advocate Children's Hospital, Oak Lawn
Advocate Children's Hospital, Park Ridge
Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago
Comer Children's Hospital, Chicago

For $10, you can send a Brave Bag to a child battling cancer.

We choose every item carefully based on what children need during long treatment days:

Sensory items that help with stress and anxiety during chemo
Activities and games that keep kids engaged through long hours
Comfort items that remind a child someone is thinking about them

We keep delivering Brave Bags as long as we have the funding to keep going. Your $10 makes sure a child on chemo day doesn't go without one.

$10. One child. One Brave Bag.

If you’ve ever wondered how to help—this is it.

With gratitude,
Dina Besic
Mom + Founder, Maxwell’s Toy Box
www.maxwellstoybox.com

Maxwell’s Toy Box earned the 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency — the highest level of recognition from Candid, a national organization that verifies nonprofits and rates their transparency so donors can give with confidence.

This seal reflects our commitment to being open, accountable, and dedicated to our mission: bringing comfort and support to children in cancer treatment and their families, year-round.

As a volunteer-run organization, 100% of your donation directly supports families, children, and partner hospitals.

Maxwell’s Toy Box is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Lake Bluff, IL. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. EIN: 99-1719585.

Send a Brave Bag to a Child on Chemo Day

For $10, you can deliver comfort to a child battling cancer.

Team Members