Blogs posted by Danielle Matia
Distinguished award for supporting international cancer patients highlights the importance of equal access to treatment for people with cancer, no matter where you live
The Above and Beyond Cancer Award was given to The MAX Foundation (MAX), in partnership with Novartis Oncology, for dedication to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer to create a healthier world. The collaboration among these global organizations to help international patients exemplifies the benefits of partnering, as well as the value of access to treatment for people living with cancer in low and middle income countries. This award, tied to the story of a patient in Nepal who is a courageous mountaineer that benefitted from a global access program for treatment of leukemia, is one that resonates because it represents the difference between giving up your life because of cancer and maximizing your life with cancer.
Click on 'Read More' for the full media release!
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Posted by Danielle Matia on April 29, 2013 | Comments: 0
Cyclists rode through Nairobi’s town center this month as part of the “Cycling4Cancer” event organized by the patient association in Kenya known as Henzo. In addition to raising awareness about the need for cancer control, the event helped to build coalitions locally when Henzo became connected with other groups doing similar work within their country. Now, read the full story to see where their group is going next!
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Posted by Danielle Matia on November 12, 2010 | Comments: 6
The African continent has been busy this month Maximizing Life! Cancer awareness events have recently taken place in Togo, Mauritius, Sudan, Kenya and Sierra Leone. Patient groups in each of the countries have taken the lead on organizing events within their own communities, from soccer matches to cancer education programs, all featuring their own Maximize Life Tribute Wall. These colorful photos tell the stories of recent events throughout the region.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on November 18, 2010 | Comments: 4
Some of you may already be familiar with the remarkable story of Alhassane, a cancer survivor from Niger who travels for miles by camel, among other modes of transportation, to access his treatment. Each year, he dazzles us with his bright and colorful digital art, ripe with meaning and this year his work entitled “Bonheur, joie, longevite de vie” was selected as the winner for the Africa Region.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on December 22, 2010 | Comments: 5
It's not too late for physicians to sign up for Cepheid's July 5th webinar entitled, "Analytical and economic evaluation of the fully automated Xpert BCR-ABL Monitor Assay" about the GeneXpert which can be used for monitoring CML patients.
Follow this link to register for their online program!
Click 'Read More' or follow the links for additional information.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on July 02, 2012 | Comments: 0
The inaugural patient and health care professionals’ colloquium on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, on 12th-13th October 2012 is underway! Click on 'Read more' to see the gallery of photos of the summit in action.
Already, intercontinental discussions are taking place between patient advocates and physicians from within the Africa region. Pat, Executive Director of MAX and Dr. Ngoma, Executive Director of the Ocean Roads Hospital, met to explore ways to improve CML treatment monitoring in the country, and many more discussions of the same caliber are expected. Physicians and patient leaders alike are sharing their experiences and making action plans to improve outcomes for people living with CML across Africa. And now the scientific sessions have begun.
Check out the photo gallery to see the photos just in from the colloquium in Dar.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on October 11, 2012 | Comments: 1
I left Seattle very anxious and nervous with anticipation. Will everything go as planned? Will the patients come? Hosting an event can be nerve wracking; especially when all our planning was done from so far. Seeing this meeting come together as a result of relentless advocacy work done by MAX, together with physicians and patient leaders on the African continent was incredible. Physicians treating CML across the region were able to share their challenges and learn from experts in the field.
And on the second afternoon, in a smaller setting, Bahija, from Morocco, introduced the culminating part of the workshop, offering the vision to form an umbrella group for CML advocates from Africa. Intense discussion and negotiations ensued to define the goal of the group and its name; after two rounds of vivacious voting, CML Life Africa was finally born and the Dar es Salaam declaration was signed! This was a dream come true for three years of labor intensive efforts had finally paid off.
Click 'Read More' to hear how the events in Tanzania unfolded.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on October 31, 2012 | Comments: 1
This is the third in a series of four blog posts that tell the stories of the amazing paintings that won this year’s the Maximize Life Art Project. Behind each of these captivating images is a person living with cancer who, through their art, has courageously shared their message of struggle, hope, and survivorship.
The next winning entry is titled, “Awareness”. It comes from Rouamba in the country of Burkina Faso. Rouamba is the caregiver for her niece, who was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Rouamba’s drawing symbolizes the strength and opportunity that she sees within each cancer survivor. “This drawing represents a cancer survivor who instead of being isolated, spends his time going to people to inform and sensitize them on behavior to adopt towards cancer survivors: be nice, emotional, sociable with them. Do not even let them despair. He goes to schools, churches, markets and even in hospitals. Thus, he lives a full life.”
Visit Rouamba’s painting in the Colors of Hope Gallery.
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Posted by Danielle Matia on December 03, 2012 | Comments: 0