Act With Humanity

Act With Humanity

March 9 marks the devastating anniversary of the day my stepson Max died after a three-year battle with cancer. Max was 17 years old. I have dedicated most of the last 34 years to galvanizing the global community to help families avoid the suffering of the premature loss of their loved one. In the process, a thriving global network of people helping people emerged as a beacon of hope and light. The work we do at The Max Foundation elevates the common humanity and interconnectedness among all of us, no matter where we live. We are one, we long for the same, we need each other.

This year, March 9 finds us navigating difficult times yet unwilling to accept a global current that wants to convince us to focus on ourselves and ignore those most vulnerable among us.

While trying to find my footing, a news article published recently resonated with me and reminded me that our capacity to act with humanity is still intact. Today my feelings can be summarized in one short message: this is not the time to be a goldfish. I invite you to read my editorial, published in Devex, and share widely.

Read More

Pat Garcia-Gonzalez is the CEO of The Max Foundation. Under Pat’s direction The Max Foundation is dedicated to accelerating health equity by delivering medication, technology, and services to patients facing cancer and other critical illnesses, focusing our energy on those who no one else is helping. Pat lives in Edmonds, Washington, where she raised her four sons.

Related Articles

  • Pat Garcia-Gonzalez Wins UICC’s CEO Award

    Pat Garcia-Gonzalez Wins UICC’s CEO Award

    The Max Foundation is thrilled to announce that Pat Garcia-Gonzalez has won the UICC’s CEO Award for 2018!

  • Innovator Jerry Radich of Fred Hutch joins The Max Foundation’s Executive Board

    Innovator Jerry Radich of Fred Hutch joins The Max Foundation’s Executive Board

    The Max Foundation is thrilled to welcome longtime advisor, Dr. Jerald Radich of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute into the Executive Board.  Dr. Radich has been a guiding star in our innovative work for many years helping people face cancer with dignity and hope, especially in the area of improving access to critical diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries.

  • Welcoming two new members to our Strategic Innovation Advisory Board

    Welcoming two new members to our Strategic Innovation Advisory Board

    Graciela Mabel Woloj Rothstein and Mikkel Z. Oestergaard, PhD join the board this March