Santa Ana woman behind Maxlove project named 1 of 10 Women of Worth

SANTA ANA, Calif. -- A woman from Santa Ana is being honored for the work she has done to help children, like her son, who have cancer.

Max Wilford likes to help his mom, Audra DiPadova Wilford, pack gift boxes to send to other children battling life-threatening illnesses.

"Max and I actually started the organization soon after he had started treatment for brain cancer at 4 1/2 years old," she said.

Named after the 7 year old, the MaxLove Project is Wilford's way of passing along information and even products that helped Max through chemotherapy.

"We were using acupuncture and diet and massage," she said "What we found was that there were challenges with care among disadvantaged and underrepresented families," Wilford said.

They started sending children Twilight Turtles, which are soothing nightlights.

"The turtles heal them and like, it makes them feel better," said Max.

Working with dieticians, Wilford includes fierce food kits to help others switch to healthier diets.

Wilford's work is being recognized.

In December, Wilford will be awarded $10,000 by L'Oreal Paris. She is among 10 Women of Worth recognized this year.

"The fact she's doing so much for the pediatric cancer community while Max is in treatment is amazing," said Kristine Wetzel of Huntington Beach.

Max is also doing his part by creating the world's longest rainbow loom bracelet to raise money for Children's Hospital of Orange County, where he receives treatment.

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel showed his support after students at Arroyo Elementary, where Max goes to school, sent him a video telling him what a great kid Max is.

"Max is the nicest kid in the world, you should definitely meet Max," said one student.

Max said it was cool to be in the spotlight with Kimmel.

As a 2014 Women of Worth honoree, Max's mom will receive $10,000 for MaxLove Project and will be acknowledged at a L'Oreal Paris awards ceremony in New York in December. If Wilford is named National Honoree through votes from the public, she will receive an additional $25,000 for her charity.

You can support Wilford and the MaxLove Project mission by voting for her to become National Honoree at WomenofWorth.com or via L'Oreal Paris' Facebook or Twitter pages by Nov. 21.