Just like myself, little Max loves the superhero Iron Man. The popular comic book character with a port in his chest seems invincible in his seemingly indestructible suit.
Max has more similarities with Iron Man, not just because of the port in his chest, but because he is a hero, too.
Max suffers from hemophilia, a genetic condition that prevents his blood from clotting. As a result, any injury, no matter how minor, can be fatal for Max. The chest port required surgery, but now, the brave boy is closer to his hero than ever, even exclaiming to his dad, "I get to be Iron Man!"
To support research for a cure for hemophilia, Max and his sister have created and sold calendars, raising over $7,500 for the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
When Marvel Comics, the company behind the Iron Man series, heard about the boy, now dubbed "Iron Max," they wanted to give him a little surprise — or rather a huge one, in his eyes.
Max was presented with a special comic book: he has his own character! And he's not a passerby in the comic. His character is a superhero, just like Iron Man!
Marvel included this inscription to honor Max, his bravery, and his work: "And since heroes belong in comics, we couldn't resist giving Max a cameo in ours!"
What an awesome gift for such a brave little guy!
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