Diagnostics

Access to diagnostics is as important as access to medicine

Early diagnosis and adequate monitoring are key factors in the prognosis of people living with cancer. Without it, physicians lack the means to make informed decisions, document treatment responses, and prescribe urgently needed second-line medications.

However, this is difficult if people have rare diseases like chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) – even more so if they live in low- and middle-income countries. Certain areas may not have diagnostic equipment available. Or, if they do, the financial burden of missing work and traveling long distances to access it can be too much for patients.

The Max Foundation works to address this through donations, partnerships, and education.

Spot On CML

Through a collaboration with our partners at Fred Hutch Cancer Center, we work with Dr. Jerry Radich and his team who developed a low-cost, paper-based diagnostic method for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) called Spot On CML. This innovative approach allows physicians to spot a patient’s blood onto a test card and mail it to Dr. Radich’s lab for accurate testing. Once diagnosed, patients are connected to life-extending treatments free of charge.

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Preferential Pricing

Thanks to an established collaboration with a molecular diagnostics company, The Max Foundation has access to purchase their test kits and instruments at a 50-60% reduction from the market price. The technology is ideal for low-resource settings – it’s easy to use, maintenance is minimal, and it provides results in 90 minutes as opposed to two days. If a physician can have the patient’s test results and write a prescription before they travel back to their village or remote city, it makes all the difference.

Solidarity Fund 

This fund currently provides all molecular testing needed for our partner institutions in 28 countries in our program where patients have the greatest diagnostic needs. With increased funding, we will continue to expand access to diagnostics for patients currently waiting in additional countries.

Supporting Physicians

We are committed to supporting our partner physicians so they have the necessary knowledge to diagnose and manage chronic cancers. Through our Humanitarian Partnership for Access to Critical Treatments (Humanitarian PACT), we connect physicians with international medical experts who serve as mentors and facilitate educational and capacity-building activities.

Education and Awareness 

We believe that every patient should have equal access to test results and know what they mean for their treatment path. We are currently working with dozens of local patient organizations that help support, educate, and empower thousands of patients and caregivers at events around the world.