Meet Ashika! She’s been with The Max Foundation for almost 14 years, working as a program officer in India. Learn more about why she started with Max, what she enjoys about her job, and a special memory she had with a patient.
When did you start with The Max Foundation, and why were you interested in working here?
I started with The Max Foundation in September 2011. I was drawn to the organization because of its mission to help cancer patients access life-saving medications and to create spaces where they can connect, share their experiences, and support one another. That purpose deeply resonated with me, and I felt a strong desire to be part of something so impactful and meaningful.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
What I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and help build a strong, supportive community. It’s incredibly inspiring to see how these connections can ease the sense of isolation and empower patients in their journey.
What is a special memory you have with patients?
One special memory that stands out is from a Patient Support Group meeting, where a patient I had only interacted with over the phone came up to me with a smile and said how happy she was to finally meet the voice that had always listened and supported her. She thanked me for being there through her cancer journey. That simple, heartfelt moment reminded me how powerful and meaningful human connection can be, even over a phone call.
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.
October is my favorite month of the year. It marks a changing of the seasons in both the southern and northern hemispheres that brings a sense of reflection and excitement. As such, there could not be a more appropriate month to celebrate theMaximize Life Global Cancer Awareness Campaign, an initiative that encourages people impacted by cancer to reflect on their experiences, celebrate their resiliency, and share their stories with the world.
In July, we are kicking off the second year of Chai for Cancer USA, a fundraising campaign that expands access to treatment for people facing cancer in India. For 6 weeks, South Asia Region Head Viji Venkatesh will travel across the country to meet with our friends and supporters, bringing together our community in support….
Surviving cancer in countries that lack the support and care, the word empowerment is not in patients’ dictionaries. But if we could increase the access to treatment and care in these countries, can we turn the tables?
