BCM - How did your life change when you became parents?

David:  Once you have children there is a sudden shift from the selfish mentality of “it’s all about me” to “it’s all about them.” As a father, there is nothing that I wouldn’t do for my children. I come second, they come first. Once I became a parent, the responsibility switch turned on in my head and I grew up – although, my wife may argue that I am her fourth child.

Annemarie:  I never knew that I could love someone so much. I felt an immediate bond with all three of my children. My priorities and my goals changed the day my first child, Max was born.

BCM - Do you have any advice for other families who have a child with a form of cancer?

David::  Being told Max had cancer was the single worst day of my life. It made the day the doctors told me I was having a heart attack seem like a picnic. See to it that your child receives the best care. Don’t get caught up in statistics. Reach out to those who have had similar experiences for support. Most importantly, your child needs you to be a parent more now than at any other time in their life. Be strong and brave, not only for your child but for you. too. Reiterate to your child that it is not their fault and that you will all get through this hard time. It is far from easy and the journey will be difficult, but, in the end, you have a good chance of coming out better than when you went in.

Annemarie:  Whether it be cancer or any other serious illness, my advice to parents is to stay positive and strong. I feel that as a mother I set the tone. It was/is my job to keep normalcy in the home no matter the circumstances. The doctors came up with Max's treatment, but it is up to me as a mother to be my child's biggest advocate, even if it means questioning some of the world’s greatest doctors. There is no one that will care for your child like you will.

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment(s) as a dad? mom?

David:  Aside from the day the doctors told us it was malignant? There are so many, but the one that stands out was the day of the 2007 NYC Marathon. I awoke at 5 a.m. to head to the race and there was Max waiting on the couch to wish me luck. I reinforced to him that I was running for him and that when I crossed the finish line, he would be the proud recipient of the medal. Running up First Avenue around mile 17, I saw Max (hairless from the chemo) and his brother Alexander on the shoulders of my brother Matthew. Next to them was my dear friend John holding up signs that read “Go Daddy Go” and “Run Daddy Run.” When I got to them, I hoisted my sons over the railing. I whispered in Max’s ear, “You keep me going.!” I told both boys that I loved them very much. It was very emotional for me. For the next 10 miles, I composed a song in my head and named it “Marathon.” It is on my album, “The Journey,” which is on iTunes. All proceeds from the song go to the Max Cure Foundation. You can check it out at:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-journey/id304900448

Annemarie:  The most memorable day for me was the day Max woke up at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center on his fourth birthday and we had to tell him that he had cancer.

BCM - Together you started the max cure foundation - tell us about it? What was the inspiration?

David and Annemarie:  Max is the inspiration behind The Max Cure Foundation. He battled his cancer with amazing courage and optimism. We felt incredibly fortunate that he was undergoing treatment at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and we wanted to give back. We committed ourselves to helping Dr. Richard O'Reilly, chairman of Pediatrics at MSKCC, to underwrite a $5 million one-of-a-kind cell therapy lab focused on less toxic treatments for children with cancer. We are dedicated to raising funds for his innovative research as well as other researchers we meet who improve treatments and quality of life for cancer kids. We are also committed to building public awareness for the fight to cure pediatric cancer while inspiring hope and courage within families and their communities.

BCM - How is Max today?

David:  Today, Max is in the second grade. He is in remission and he is doing well. He plays flag football, basketball and loves to climb rocks in Central Park. He has been tutored for reading and math as his two-year chemotherapy protocol set him back a bit,  but he is determined to learn and to catch up to his peers. He is not the same boy that he once was. He has gone through more in his short life time than some of us adults will go through in our entire life. He is an amazing big brother to Alexander and Ella. We love him very much and are very proud of him.

Annemarie:  Max is forever changed. By age three, prior to his cancer, we already thought of Max as an "old soul." As a result of what he experienced, he has become wiser and even more empathetic towards others.

BCM - Since you started Max Cure Foundation in 2007 you have raised over 1 million dollars ... How did you get so many influential people involved?

David and Annemarie:  One month after Max was diagnosed with cancer, our close friends had a 35th birthday party in Manhattan. In lieu of gifts they asked people to bring their check books and make a donation to the Max Cure Foundation. We raised nearly $40,000 that night. We took that as a sign that Max Cure was meant to be and, if done right, could one day be responsible for saving thousands of lives. No matter who you are, we think that pediatric cancer pulls on the heart strings and it’s tough for people not to want to get involved. Max’s cancer hit home for many of our friends and their friends. We have built an amazing team of people with strong contacts throughout the area and they have embraced Max Cure because they believe in our mission. We are grateful for all that they have done and continue to do.

BCM- What is it about Max Cure that separates you from the other pediatric cancer foundations that exist?

David and Annemarie:  Many of the pediatric cancer foundations that exist do so to memorialize a child or are created by hospitals/researchers. The Max Cure Foundation was created to honor a child's courage and bravery. While it is our primary mission to raise money for research, we are determined to "Roar For A Cure" until one is found and to spread our message of hope to other families who have children living with cancer. "Be Brave" is our brand. It will be to pediatric cancer what Livestrong and the Pink Ribbon are to their respective cancer causes. Stay tuned!

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do w/ your children?

Annemarie:  I love to read to my children. From the day they were born, I started reading books to all three of them. I love to see their imagination sparked and look forward to snuggling with them on the couch. My children know that this is a special time and I am completely focused. I won't let the ring of the phone or the buzz of my Blackberry take me away from this special time.

David:  I look forward to the weekends so that I can take the kids to Central Park. We enjoy throwing the football, kicking the soccer ball and climbing rocks. I have always been active and into sports, so I try my best to play with the kids and keep them active. Often times, I make up games so that we all get in our exercise and have fun doing it.

BCM - Tell us about the Be Brave Adventures event that’s taking place next weekend

On Saturday, November 13 at 10:00 a.m., Be Brave Adventures will fill the third floor of Kidville’s Upper East Side location (163 East 84th Street) for two hours with an exciting boot-camp style fitness challenge using Danish-designed bObles Tumbling Animals, live percussion, cardboard boxes and other recycled play materials for which the program developer, Unplugged On A Rug, is known. There will be a “Baby Adventure Space” for the littlest players featuring music and fitness play for babies and moms and participating families will paint a keepsake canvas to remind them of their adventure. The Z Brothers will perform a concert for all the kids to dance and to play along with recycled instruments. Each family will receive a gift bag from Big City Moms featuring green- and eco-friendly items. Even dads will enjoy! Because of work, I rarely get to go on play dates with my children. Be Brave Adventures changes that. Moreover, a significant portion of the program fee will go toward the Max Cure Foundation and will be tax deductible, making it a good deed and a great deal.