The Critical Role of Humanitarian Donations

The Critical Role of Humanitarian Donations

Though humanitarian donations are clearly not the only answer to the complex challenges facing the global oncology community, they do have a critical role to play in reducing inequities in care and extending the lives of certain populations whose local economies and health systems remain years or decades away from facilitating solutions on their own.

In a recent commentary published in the Journal of Global Oncology, co-authors Pat Garcia-Gonzalez MA, Gilberto Lopes MD, Erin Schwartz MSW, and Lawrence Shulman MD, clearly outline the need and efficacy of humanitarian donation programs using lessons learned from the success of joint access initiatives between Novartis and The Max Foundation.

In addition to providing concrete evidence for the need and efficacy of humanitarian donation programs, the paper also demonstrates the terrible human cost that would result from their absence. Garcia-Gonzalez and her co-authors write:

“…in this era of globalization, we are leaving our friends behind and they know it. There is only one thing worse than hearing your loved one is diagnosed with cancer. It is to be told that there is a treatment that could help, but because of the place where you live, your loved one cannot access it and will therefore die a premature and avoidable death.”

Read the full paper here

Read Pat Garcia-Gonzalez’s LinkedIn article

Make a donation to expand treatment access

See All News

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.

Related Articles

  • The Max Foundation and International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) Partner to Enhance the Care of CLL in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

    The Max Foundation and International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) Partner to Enhance the Care of CLL in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

    iwCLL to provide training, medical, and programmatic guidance to support implementation of access program for innovative CLL therapy in 29 LMICs over the next three years SEATTLE, Washington – October 10, 2023 – The Max Foundation (Max), a global nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity by delivering medication, technology, and supportive services to patients….

  • Inaugural ERSAP Prize Awarded to Pat Garcia-Gonzalez

    Estoril, Portugal– In recognition of her personal contribution and role in leading The Max Foundation in increasing access to treatment, care, and support for people living with cancer around the world, Max CEO, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez is the first recipient of the International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) Foundation’s ERSAP Prize. The International CML Foundation awarded our….

  • The Max Foundation (Max) and its Partners Unveil Breakthrough Cancer Care Commitment to Double Their Impact and Reach 100,000 Patients Annually by 2031

    The Max Foundation (Max) and its Partners Unveil Breakthrough Cancer Care Commitment to Double Their Impact and Reach 100,000 Patients Annually by 2031

    Building on two decades of progress, Max’s ambitious goal will expand its proven, patient-centered model that has already helped more than 100,000 people access treatment Commitment will enhance local health system capabilities to deliver innovative and generic medicines, diagnostics, and treatment in more than 80 low- and middle-income countries Alongside this commitment, Max and Novartis sign….