When Onward was first diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), he spent many sleepless nights thinking about his future. Now, 11 years later, he advocates and provides support for other people going through the same thing.
“I am now living a normal life and enjoying my cycling, and gardening, and forgetting about CML, I only remember that I am a patient when it’s time to take my medication,” he said. “I now have hope, and I am able to instill hope to newly diagnosed patients.”
Onward is a 45-year-old farmer living in Zimbabwe with his wife, Tabeth, and their four children. In 2014, he started feeling weak and losing weight, and noticed he couldn’t cycle as far.
Onward said it took a while to be diagnosed then because the blood samples had to be taken to South Africa. He also had to sell his only car and furniture to afford the tests. Finally, a doctor confirmed that he had CML.
“My wife was so young at that stage, and I was just jealous and scared of losing her to someone else or not being able to grow old with her,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to accept.”
The doctor said medication was expensive, so he recommended our program. The Max Foundation and its partners provide access to treatment free of charge. After treatment, Onward started feeling better. He said every time he went for a checkup, there was good news.
In 2015, after encouragement from a Max team member, Onward became one of four founding members of the CML Zimbabwe Trust. They provide support, comfort, and education for patients. Currently, they’re letting people know about the transportation grants from Max to motivate them to seek treatment.
“I would like to thank the Max Foundation for the donation of the medication, which saves hundreds of patients in my country,” Onward said.
In 2022, Onward and Tabeth welcomed their fourth child, a son. Although he lost sleep over his diagnosis, Onward said he’s now proud to share his story and pass hope along to others.
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.
As a new team member of The Max Foundation, I feel honored to work with an organization that advocates for patients dealing with blood cancer. This global health organization has helped thousands of patients get access to treatment, provide education and awareness, and bring a community together throughout the world.
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.
The passing of our dear friend, advocate and colleague Ferdinand, has shaken the close-knit global chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) community. CML, a rare form of leukemia that used to be fatal, now is treated with innovative targeted therapies commonly referred to as TKIs. There has been unprecedented global access to these TKIs and this has fostered the development of one of the strongest global patient communities for a rare cancer. Ferdinand, from Nairobi, Kenya, was a loved member of this community.
