From One Difficult Day to a Movement
It was July Fourth weekend in 2020. Max Levine was just 8 years old — in the middle of a pandemic — when he learned that his mom, Hilary, had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
💬 Max Levine
"I didn't know where she was or what she was doing and it was very upsetting and I didn't like that at all." — Max Levine
💬 Hilary Levine
"I wanted to be a good role model — life can be hard. Things happen in life." — Hilary Levine
The Day That Changed Everything
During the pandemic, Max learned his mom Hilary had breast cancer and underwent a bilateral mastectomy — and he couldn't be by her side. His grandmother had also just come through breast cancer. Hilary, just 38, wanted to be a role model through the hardest moment of her life. Max decided he would be one too — in his own way.
Campaign #1: Lacrosse Helmet Decals — $2,000 Raised
Max emailed his lacrosse teammates asking if they'd buy pink decals for their helmets. He built a Google Sheet and personally sent a thank-you note to every single donor. By the time he woke up on October 2nd, he'd already raised $500. He finished with $2,000 — every dollar to Northwell Health.
"By the time I woke up on October 2, we were already at $500, and I was shocked because I didn't believe it." — Max Levine
Campaign #2: Tennis Dampeners — $3,000 Raised · ABC7 & News 12
Max pivoted to tennis and sold racquet vibration dampeners, raising $3,000 — presented directly to his mom's surgeon at Northwell. He directed the funds to the patient navigation program: nurses who support patients through every step of a breast cancer diagnosis. Emmy Award-winning ABC7 reporter and breast cancer survivor Stacey Sager broke the story to the world.
"A bunch of highly professional nurses will immediately care for those diagnosed with breast cancer so they have somebody to support them throughout the entire process." — Max Levine, to News 12
Northwell's Inaugural Youth Impact Award — Katz Institute Luncheon
At the 32nd Annual Katz Institute for Women's Health Luncheon & Fashion Event at Old Westbury Gardens — attended by 600+ supporters and raising $800,000 — Max received the inaugural Partners Council for Women's Health Youth Impact Award. His "Play for Pink" basketball tournament with corporate sponsors and Level Up Long Island had brought in $7,000+.
"I think it touches you, because his reason for doing it is his love of his mother, and that's a very powerful thing." — Brian Lally, President, Northwell Health Foundation
$30,000+ Raised — and the Mission Continues
Max is now 14 years old and has surpassed $30,000 raised for Northwell Health. What started with lacrosse decals emailed to a few teammates has become a nonprofit, a nationally recognized cause, and a growing community. MaxOut4Pink is no longer just one kid's story — it's yours to join.
"Even small things can make big things happen. You just have to take the shot." — Max Levine