Being diagnosed with breast cancer was a shock for Yeshi, a farmer from a small village in Bhutan. Her mother passed away from breast cancer, which was already advanced when it was discovered.
“I was terrified, remembering the pain my mother had endured,” she said. “However, I also felt a sense of relief knowing I had the chance to get the help I needed.”
The first sign was a small lump in Yeshi’s breast. However, she wasn’t a big fan of hospitals, so it took her a while to build up the courage and get tested. From there, she had to move away from her village and start treatment. It was an emotionally taxing
experience.
However, Yeshi received plenty of support from her government and her doctor, and The Max Foundation is providing access to the medication she needs to feel better – free of charge.
“Before my diagnosis, I avoided hospitals,” she said. “Now, I believe in the importance of utilizing healthcare facilities to the fullest. My experience has shown me that with the right treatment, even the most challenging health battles can be overcome.”
Having access to treatment allows Yeshi to continue working, and she has more time to spend with her spouse and friends. She’s thankful for all the support.
“Turning 52 this year has made me realize how precious life is,” Yeshi said. “Being a farmer is hard work, but I’m determined to do what I love. I’m also grateful to continue receiving treatment and follow-ups. The medications I’m taking have helped me regain my strength, even though I can’t do as much heavy lifting as I used to.”
The Max Foundation is a leading global health nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating health equity. For 27 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.
Dr. Jayasree Iyer, Executive Director of the Access to Medicine Foundation (ATMF), sits down with The Max Foundation and answers seven questions about the Access to Medicine Index, emerging trends in treatment access, and the role of collaborative access initiatives in treating chronic diseases.
When he was initially diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia, Prashant’s first concerns weren’t whether he would be able to afford treatment, it was about how much time he had left…years? Months? Would he be able to complete his degree? Would he be able to care for his father?
But his doctor reassured him. Treatment was available, and before he could worry about the cost of it, Prashant was connected with The Max Foundation and worked on getting enrolled in the access program we administer.
For World Cancer Day, GlobalWA interviewed Max CEO Pat Garcia-Gonzalez to hear about the many lessons she has learned in this work, and how both cancer treatment and patients’ access to treatment globally has changed.
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