Report by FOM Nandini Dabbir
On 18th Feb, a bright and sunny day at Mumbai, the GIST Patient Support Group meeting was organized by Max Foundation along with Tata Memorial Hospital.
The meeting started with the introduction of Max India by Priyanka Kandalgaokar. A short video about the patients’ life while on Glivec was played. Dr Nikhil Guhagarkar, an active FOM volunteer, introduced the celebrity yoga and fitness trainer, Abhishek Sharma who gave a speech and demonstrated different types of stretches. They were simple but effective exercises to maintain a healthy body. This session was immensely beneficial to patients and especially to me as I got many of my doubts cleared by him.
Dr Manish Bhandare and Dr Anant Ramaswamy, young and eminent physicians from Tata Memorial Hospital with rich experience in oncology joined us for a Question & Answer session which was very interactive as all the GIST advocates, patients and survivors participated and got their queries answered.
The meet was concluded with a vote of thanks by Ameya Surve of Max India followed by some refreshments. Such interactive patient support group gatherings drive away fear and builds hope and optimism in the minds of patients. Thanks to Viji Venkatesh and her team for conducting this meet.