Max’s Story

Max Vincze was a kind-hearted, funny and curious young man who was taken from his family decades too soon. Max was just 22 and finishing his last semester of college when he was diagnosed with a rare, incurable cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults. 

Despite being told that his cancer did not have a treatment, let alone a cure, Max had an incredible will to live that convinced him he should pursue a traditional course of cancer treatment anyway. He fought bravely and with a strength that belied his age. Max died at home in the arms of his parents and brother on September 17, 2021, just three months after his diagnosis. 

Max packed a lot of life into his 23 years. His good-natured antics were legendary, as was his trademark ear-to-ear grin. Max was an adventurer, an athlete and an angler. His grandfather taught him to fish as a child and Max was devoted to the sport for the rest of his life. 

One of the most profound experiences of Max’s life was a trip to the Minnesota Boundary Waters with Outward Bound when he was 14. It was a rugged trip where the kids are really let loose in nature – they carry all their gear, cook their own meals, and sleep in tents no matter what the weather. This trip presented exactly the kind of challenge and adversity where Max could really shine. During this grueling trip, his tentmate was so scared and so homesick that he cried himself to sleep at night. But Max just stood by his side and helped him every step of the way – determined not to let his buddy fail. At the end of the trip, Max was recognized with the Leadership Award for his service to the group and to his tentmate in particular. And after that trip he had a newfound sense of confidence and competence. Max had learned, with his mom Suzanne and his dad Craig at his side, that he was a boy who could do hard things. 

Max barely had time to enjoy being the kind of man everyone hopes their son will grow up to be. He was strong and dependable, but he was also warm and loving. 

Max was absolutely adored by his brother, Ben, his parents Craig and Suzanne, and his grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. He was also a good friend. (In fact, several of Max’s fraternity brothers are leading the fundraising charge for The Max Vincze Foundation!) 

Most of all, Max embraced joy. Silly, pointless, wonderful joy in the small moments of life. Max seized each and every moment he could to laugh, to fish, to be with his friends and family – in short, to live a wonderful and precious life. 

The Max Vincze Foundation exists so no other family has to endure the loss of a life-living, life-loving person like Max.