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.
India’s GIST Meetings
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.
A Picnic with Malaysia’s Max Family
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.
Storytelling Workshop in India
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.”
New Release: My PCR and Maximize Life Executive Reports
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.
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Lan’s Story
In Vietnam, due to the lack of specialist in rural areas, a significant number of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients with minimal cash in hand must travel hundreds to thousands of kilometers to reach the hospitals in the city. The expenses for the trip itself is already a challenge for many patients let alone the cost of treatment. But today, there are numerous CML survivors who directly benefit from The Max Foundation’s patient access program to receive their cancer treatment at no cost. A living testimony to the success of our program is Lan.
A Partnership Bound by Mission, Innovation, and History
At The Max Foundation, we believe in the power of individuals to make a difference, especially when it comes to health equity. Over the years, we’ve been privileged to work alongside some amazing people in both the public and private sectors – people who have moved mountains to help patients around the world face cancer with dignity and hope. We also believe in working closely with organizations whose mission and values align with our own.
Sharing My Story for World Cancer Day
“CANCER” what comes to your mind as you read this six letter word? The five W’s, who, what, when, where and why comes to our head. In my life, who? Was my father, when? 2004, where? In his blood and why? The million dollar question whose answer we are still searching for.
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