On 4 February 2017, World Cancer Day returns under the tagline “We can. I can.” World Cancer Day 2016-2018 explores how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
The cancer burden is felt especially hard in low- and middle-income countries that are unable to offer proper treatment and care. There is still the disparity in the cancer survival. For instance, 66% of people in low- and middle-income countries will not survive their cancer, compared to only 47% in high-income countries.
When cancer struck someone, they normally find themselves devastated and afraid. Surviving cancer in countries that lack the support and care, the word empowerment is not in patients’ dictionaries. But if we could increase the access to treatment and care in these countries, can we turn the tables?
Here at The Max Foundation, we believe access to treatment is access to life. Every day, we work together with our partners to support people living with cancer in countries where cancer still carries stigma and discrimination. But we want to go beyond the cancer treatment, we want to help people thriving with cancer.
I recently learned about Rosario, a cancer patient, and advocate in Mexico. After being diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), she is journeying through cancer with the support from The Max Foundation. Access to life-saving treatment was made possible by our multi-sectoral partnerships with pharmaceutical industry partners, governments, and the health care team.
We have learned through our work that facing cancer is more than treatment alone. We believe uplifting patients is important to ensure patients living well with cancer. Rosario has proven that a cancer patient can step up to becoming an agent of change when given necessary support. Today, she is leading her patient organization named Manitas, which helps children in Mexico face cancer.
“I proudly give others the love and care I have received through The Max Foundation!”
The world needs more people like Rosario. The word empowerment can be in cancer patients’ dictionaries. Since our founding, collaboration is at the heart of our work. Building a future where every patient can access the best treatment and support requires a comprehensive approach. “We Can. I Can” is not two separate entities. They come together as one.
World Cancer Day brought us an important opportunity to convey our message of inclusiveness. No matter high-income or low- and middle-income countries, facing cancer remains difficult. In order to increase global access to treatment, care, and support for people living with cancer, all of us must work globally.
The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 28 years, Max has pioneered practical, scalable, high-quality solutions to bring life-extending treatments and patient-centered health care to more than 100,000 people living with cancer and critical illness in low- and middle-income countries. Max believes in a world where all people can access high-impact medicines, where geography is not destiny, and where everyone can strive for health with dignity and with hope.
At The Max Foundation, we’re also continuously growing our brand and messaging to reflect the growing needs of our global communities and the patients we support. Today, we’re announcing an update in how we communicate our model: our Wraparound Support pillar will now be called Patient Services!
My name is Dr. Temilola Owojuyigb; I work in the Hematology and Blood Transfusion Unit, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. I decided to specialize in Hematology because hematological diseases are not often diagnosed or diagnosed late in affected persons due to a scarcity of experts. Thus, patients either do not get treatment or get treated when many complications….
Every day can feel like World Cancer Day when you are living with Cancer. A diagnosis changes our lives and our family’s lives from the moment we hear the news. We want you to know that you are not alone in facing your diagnosis. In fact, we created a playlist of inspiring songs from around the world to keep you going so you can listen anytime and feel the support of your community.
