For more than 26 years, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, CEO of The Max Foundation, has dedicated herself to improving the lives of cancer survivors around the world. A native of Argentina, Pat has a master’s degree from the University of Washington and a technical degree in nursing.

Pat is the cofounder of The Max Foundation, established in 1997 in honor of her stepson, Maximiliano “Max” Rivarola. Max was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at the age of 14 in 1989. He survived until the age of 17, and his legacy lives on in the hearts of thousands of cancer survivors who have been touched by the organization.

Under Pat’s direction since 2005, The Max Foundation is dedicated to accelerating health equity by delivering medication, technology, and services to patients facing cancer and other critical illnesses. Since its establishment, the foundation has grown from a website offering resources into a global model for providing access to diagnostics, treatment, medication, care, and social support. The organization channels over 10 million doses of life-saving cancer treatment to patients each year in low- and middle-income countries. The organization carries out its daily work through a global team and with a network of close to 1,000 partners including oncologists and other healthcare professionals, hospitals and medical institutions, as well as Ministries of Health, several NGOs, drug manufacturers, medical experts, and patient associations.

Pat is an active leader and collaborator in addressing patients’ needs for accessing treatment. In 2021, she became chairperson of the Access to Oncology Medicines Coalition (ATOM) Council, a global partnership sponsored by the Union for International Cancer Control, that brings together 40 leading organizations with the shared goal of improving access to essential cancer medicines in lower-to-middle-income countries.

Pat is an advisor to the CML Advocates Network and the International CML Foundation and has served on the Board of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations. Pat has been honored with the first CEO Award from the Union for International Cancer Control; the distinguished Golden Tennis Shoe Award from United States Senator, Patty Murray; the first National Cancer Institute Global Cancer Medicine Humanitarian Award; and the inaugural Emerging Regions Support and Partnership (ERSAP) Prize by the International CML Foundation for her role in leading The Max Foundation.

Most recently, Pat was named among the Fierce 50 Honorees in Health Equity, honored with the “Hero of Kenya” award on Mashujaa Day (Heroes’ Day) in Kenya, and recognized with the 2023 Global Hero Award by Global Washington.

Pat lives in Edmonds, Washington, where she raised her four sons.