[vc_video link=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckmQNcicoZ0′]
In Vietnam, due to the lack of specialist in rural areas, a significant number of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with minimal cash in hand must travel hundreds to thousands of kilometers to reach the hospitals in the city. The expenses for the trip itself is already a challenge for many patients let alone the cost of treatment. But today, there are numerous CML survivors who directly benefit from The Max Foundation’s patient access program to receive their cancer treatment at no cost. A living testimony to the success of our program is Lan.
Lan is a young, enthusiastic, Vietnamese woman living in Ha Noi, who refuses to be ordinary. On World CML Day 2017, Lan decided to let her treatment journey story to be heard. Lan was diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia when she was 23 years old. Initially, she was hesitant to share her story with anyone. It was kept within the family, as she was scared, weak and lost. With an attitude “Never give up nor abandon hope” she kept searching and successfully found what she looked for – The Max Foundation’s “magical” patient assistance program that would bring her the necessary CML treatment. 11 years later and the innovative program still supports Lan and many other CML patients in Vietnam.
Today Lan is living a happy normal life. Like other people in Vietnam, she goes to work and contributes to society. Because of the benefits of the patient assistance program, and continued stigma against cancer patients, Lan has started sharing her story – starting with this video.
Lan is forever grateful for the government that acknowledges the importance of patient assistance program. With Lan’s advocacy and our ongoing work, we hope to see other sustainable treatment access programs extended to many other patients in need.
Thao Tang is a MaxStation based in Ho Chi Minh City, who is managing Patient Assistant Program and passionate about supporting cancer patients of Vietnam.
When Rushmie was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2004, she never imagined that the experience would one day shape how she showed up for others. At the time, Rushmie was living and working overseas, focused on her career and future. She described herself as naturally introverted and happiest working behind the scenes. Her….
More Than a Colleague Fifteen years ago, Ashika joined The Max Foundation with a simple yet powerful motivation: to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Based in Bangalore, India, Ashika enjoys the city’s pleasant weather and its unique balance of energy and warmth. While she appreciates the place she calls home, it is the….
We’ve already seen lots of activity around the world this spring: The first gastrointestinal stromal tumor patient meeting in Hyderabad, India; storytelling workshops where people facing cancer learn to share their experience with dignity and hope; and the Malaysia patient team takes their gathering public with a great picnic! See what else has been happening at The Max Foundation during the first part of 2016.
