Meet Ashika! She’s been with The Max Foundation for almost 14 years, working as a program officer in India. Learn more about why she started with Max, what she enjoys about her job, and a special memory she had with a patient.
When did you start with The Max Foundation, and why were you interested in working here?
I started with The Max Foundation in September 2011. I was drawn to the organization because of its mission to help cancer patients access life-saving medications and to create spaces where they can connect, share their experiences, and support one another. That purpose deeply resonated with me, and I felt a strong desire to be part of something so impactful and meaningful.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and help build a strong, supportive community. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how these connections can ease the sense of isolation and empower patients in their journey.
What is a special memory you have with patients?
One special memory that stands out is from a Patient Support Group meeting, where a patient I had only interacted with over the phone came up to me with a smile and said how happy she was to finally meet the voice that had always listened and supported her. She thanked me for being there through her cancer journey. That simple, heartfelt moment reminded me how powerful and meaningful human connection can be, even over a phone call.
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.
Dr. Jayasree Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation (ATMF), sits down with The Max Foundation and answers seven questions about the Access to Medicine Index, emerging trends in treatment access, and the role of collaborative access initiatives in treating chronic diseases.
Have you visited the 2015 Maximize Life Essay Contest webpage recently? The Max Foundation is honored to share that the 2015 Maximize Life Essay Contest winners are officially released! Three winners in total, one for each of the French, English and Spanish categories, were selected by a panel of highly esteemed judges within the global health community. You may view the complete panel of judges here. We are exceedingly grateful for the valuable time and input provided by each of the judges. With 71 meaningful and authentic personal stories submitted, it was no small task to select only one winner for each language category!
Shalet Souza is a 42-year-old nun at the Institute of Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, in Mangalore, India. She currently takes care of aspiring nuns and lives a life devoted to learning and supporting others, including the poor and needy in her region. At 29, Shalet sought treatment for frequent fevers, which would….
