The Malaysian Society of Hematology’s annual meeting, held earlier this year, took on special significance as it was the first face-to-face conference since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chairperson, Dr. Gan Gin Gin underscored the two-year gap in his message to participants, adding that the meeting’s theme “making sense of new therapies and technology” was chosen to reflect the many novel therapies and technologies now available for hematological diseases emphasizing that even with limited resources, the aim of improving a patient’s quality of life and survival was universal.
Four Max representatives along with patient leaders from Max Family Society Malaysia, a CML patient support group, attended and actively participated in the conference. Reflecting Max’s goal of amplifying patients’ voices, the Max Foundation representatives in their discussions with doctors and nurses, highlighted the value programs such as Max Schooling and Last Mile/Malaysia bring to patient care and quality of life. “We took this opportunity – our first in two years to have in-person discussions with health care professionals – to emphasize our core Social Determinants of Health programs and the critical role they play in patients’ lives and importantly, the state of their health”, said Nur Izzati Mohd Rodzi.
Max Schooling which provides educational assistance for patients’ children and Last Mile Services which helps cover the cost of transportation to and from hospital visits are core to the Max Foundation’s efforts to address the influence of factors such as the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live and age on patients’ health outcomes.
“A key aim of participating in this event was to re-establish our relationships (following the pandemic) with doctors and nurses. We learnt a lot in our conversations, from hearing about the challenges patients face to how Max’s programs are positively impacting patients here in Malaysia. Overall, an extremely productive engagement for all of us here”, said Nur Izzati Mohd Rodzi.
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.
Suddenly, I noticed a man sitting just opposite to me staring at me. I thought he was annoyed at my loud voice. so I reduced my volume and kept on talking with my friend. While explaining, my eyes went towards the man. Again I noticed he was keenly listening to our conversation.
Finally the stop came! I got down with my friend and took 10 steps. I heard a voice behind me calling “Madam, madam!”
Three years ago I made a decision that changed my life: to donate my birthday to support the work of The Max Foundation for as long as I have birthdays to come. Ever since I have been involved with The Max Foundation, every day I am witness to the courage of people faced with cancer, the generosity of spirit of those who become patient leaders, and the dedication of healthcare providers around the world. Join me today by honoring their efforts on my birthday, July 28th.
In all these years, through all of the struggle and emotional upheaval of her diagnosis, Hira remained her active and busy self. She never missed her daily routine of the wharf and the bazaar, nor did she let her work and routine come in the way of her managing her CML.
