For more than 20 years, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer of The Max Foundation has been dedicated to improving the lives of cancer survivors around the world. A native of Argentina, Pat has a master’s degree from the University of Washington and a technical degree in nursing.
Pat is the co-founder of The Max Foundation, established in 1997 in honor of her step-son, Max. Max was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at the age of 14. He survived until the age of 17, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of thousands of cancer survivors whose lives have been touched by the organization.
Under Pat’s direction since 2005, The Max Foundation is dedicated to accelerating health equity by increasing global access to treatment, care, and support for people living with cancer. The organization channels over 10 million doses of life-saving cancer treatment to patients each year in 72 low- and middle-income countries. The organization carries out its daily work in partnership with a global network of more than 500 physicians and 200 hospitals and medical institutions, as well as several local NGOs and patient associations.
Pat is an advisor to the CML Advocates Network, the International CML Foundation, and on the Board of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations. As recognition, Pat has been honored with the CEO Award from the Union for International Cancer Control; the distinguished Golden Tennis Shoe Award from United States Senator, Patty Murray; the first National Cancer Institute Global Cancer Medicine Humanitarian Award; and the inaugural Emerging Regions Support and Partnership (ERSAP) Prize by the International CML Foundation for her role in leading The Max Foundation.
Pat lives in Edmonds, Washington, where she raised her four sons.
