It’s been a busy spring at The Max Foundation! Along with the major update to our new site, there are some great stories to share from our global network.
Over the past few years, the India team has been concentrating on having gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)-focused meetings throughout the country. Quarterly meetings have been happening in Mumbai 
since 2013, but this year included the first GIST meeting in Hyderabad. GIST patient groups were started because the large number of CML patients overshadowed the specific needs of those facing GIST.
Along with presentations from medical professionals and Q&A sessions, people also participated in an art therapy workshop – some enthusiastically and some with a little coaxing – so patients and caregivers can open up and empathize with each other. As our team in South Asia can attest, these bonds create lasting friendships.
Max Family, a patient support group in Malaysia, decided to make the best of their nice weather and took their next patient meeting outdoors. Max team member, Waheeda, shares how the day unfolded:
“I could see almost everyone wore a bright smile, what a wonderful start to the Sunday morning! Not only that, everyone brought something with them, from the picnic mat to yummy Nasi Lemak. How lovely to see everyone is trying their best to make it the best day.”
The picnic was filled with good food and stories, as well as plans for raising cancer advocacy throughout Malaysia.
We saw the beginning of storytelling workshops where patients, caregivers, and advocates gathered to learn the art of telling their story. India Region Head, Viji, shares what happened:
“The intimate setting of the smaller groups helped to do away with any feelings of shyness or hesitation. Each speaker had been heard before and received feedback from familiar team mates. The group representatives spoke and shared from their hearts and what was said resonated in one way or the other with everyone in the audience.”
We are sharing our executive reports for our many projects and campaigns. These reports give the story behind our efforts to raise awareness, build community, and help people facing cancer around the world. Our latest reports feature the results of our My PCR and Maximize Life campaigns. Read these reports to learn why we believe in raising awareness and advocacy around the world for people facing cancer.
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.
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….
The journey from experiencing the first symptoms of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) to finding an effective treatment can be long, difficult, and painful, especially in low- and middle-income countries. That was the case for Chamu from Harare, Zimbabwe. It took him more than a year to get a diagnosis, but he kept fighting and is….
Thousands of patients are diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) annually around the world. CML, like any other cancer, does not discriminate. It affects people from all regions and walks of life. However, unlike many other cancers, CML has an amazing story due to advancements made in its treatment in the last decade. It was only 15 years ago that a patient newly diagnosed with CML would have a prognosis of survival of less than 5 years with the treatments available at the time.
