We’re getting ready to climb Mt. Kinabalu in a little less than a month! Over the past several months, we have been training, fundraising, and preparing to conquer Mt. Kinabalu, and now we’re counting down the days until our team meets at the foot of the mountain for the big climb. Why climb a mountain, you might ask? This climb is as literal as it is symbolic, and was inspired by the journey of patient and longtime friend Tony, whose cancer journey began after trying to climb Mt. Kinabalu 10 years ago.
This July, Tony will join our team of climbers, each one fundraising to support The Max Foundation’s work in Malaysia, helping people face their cancer diagnosis with dignity and hope. The funds we raise together will make it possible to offer support and education programs for patients, raise awareness of early diagnosis and treatment access, and to develop and train leaders and advocates, broadening access to treatment and support for people living with cancer.
Support our work in Malaysia – donate to one of our climbers today! The Max Foundation’s CEO, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, has set an ambitious goal of raising $25,000. Will you help her reach her goal? Donate to her fundraiser.
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.
Each of us had to dig deep within ourselves to summon the strength, courage, and determination to keep going, putting one foot in front of the other, until we reached base camp and then set out in the dark early hours of July23rd for the summit. But we were not alone – we shared a strong connection and solidarity among our team of 23 that in just a few short days grew close through our shared experience.
For many people facing cancer, the “last mile” in treatment access is a long, expensive, and recurring journey. But in Constantine’s case, even this journey may not be enough. The distance itself is not so far but the journey is long – 8 hours by public buses and transport. Constantine, like so many others around the world, has a rare form of leukemia called CML (chronic myeloid leukemia).
The story of Kankou, a 37-year-old mother and cancer survivor from Senegal, who makes a recurring, 450km, “last mile” journey to access cancer medication donated through The Max Foundation.
