At the CML and GIST Patient Support Group Meeting , we celebrated a milestone . 25 years ago, Imatinib was launched as Gleevec in India. And with it, a new chapter in cancer care began.
The Max Foundation and its patient support arm, Friends of Max (FOM), now a registered Charitable Trust, walked every step of that journey with patients.
In the beginning, it was about conquering fear. That small pill carried the hope of life .
Then came the challenge of affordability. Novartis stepped in. The Max Foundation stepped up to bridge the gap.
As the fight moved from access to adherence, FOM became the voice that taught, reminded, and walked with patients so they understood their dose and stuck to it.
Later, the challenge shifted again – to monitoring, testing, knowing if the disease was truly under control. FOM made testing accessible. And never stopped until every patient got more.
More meant education for children.
More meant access to doctors through patient meets.
More meant volunteers in every city, standing with families.
More meant Chai for Cancer – turning ordinary conversations into extraordinary fundraising. Warmth, music, laughter, and zero stigma. A movement that taught a nation how to talk about cancer.
This journey taught me everything I know about patient advocacy, access, and equity.
Cheers to the entire team at The Max Foundation, Friends of Max, and Chai for Cancer.
To Tata Memorial Hospital and the incredible doctors who have always been the backbone.
To Viji Venkatesh and her Trustees.
To Beena and her team at The Max Foundation.
And to every City Chapter Leader who showed up, every single day.
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