The LHS Class of 1986 chips in to help Max Gagnon’s cancer fight

By MICHAEL KITCH, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — Now 4 years old, Max Gagnon is slated to graduate from Laconia High School with the Cclass of 2030 and, as an alumnus, will be reminded of the generosity of the Class of 1986.

In June, Max was diagnosed with childhood leukemia and, after spending 43 days at Boston Children's Hospital, is in remission but undergoing a regimen of treatment his father Mike said is expected to last two years. His father said that Max is afflicted with ALL Type B, the most common and treatable form of childhood leukemia. He is being treated with chemotherapy and steroids according to protocols developed by the oncologists at Boston Children's Hospital, which has become the standard followed throughout the world.

Meanwhile, the Class of 1986 recently held its 30th reunion. Carrie Lennon, one of seven members of the reunion committee, said "We had some money left over in the class account we wanted to put to a good cause." Donna Robarge, a classmate who cared for Max as a baby, explained his situation and the committee decided to ask their classmates for donations at their reunion to add to balance in the account.

Wednesday, Lennon, Robarge and LeeAnn Fay-Ellis, representing the committee, presented Max's parents, Mike and Amber, with a check for $450 from "LHS Class of 1986" and bearing the memo "Maxwell Fights ALL." At the same time, Fay-Ellis, who owns and operates the Center for Therapeutic Massage, presented the Gagnons with gift certificates, reminding them that moms and dads "don't take time for themselves."

The Gagnons, who have shuttled back and forth to Boston throughout the summer and have more trips ahead of them, said they were surprised and grateful for the contribution and expressed their heartfelt thanks to the members of the committee and all members of the Class of 1986. "We never expected anything like this," Mike Gagnon said.

In his mom's arms, Max Gagnon clutches the check presented to his parents, Amber and Mike, holding his sister Olivia, by the Laconia High School Class of 1986. Representing the reunion committee, from left, are LeeAnn Fay-Ellis, Carrie Lennon and Donna Robarge. Not pictured were committee members Jackie Fountain, Christine Mellow, Andrea Morin and Carrie Chandler. (Michael Kitch/Laconia Daily Sun)