Friends of Max (FOM) turns the spotlight this month on one of our Trustees, Pranay Ranjan, who is our Patient Advocate for April 2026.
It is indeed a privilege to have individuals like Pranay on board, who carry forward the FOM mission proudly and devotedly on their shoulder.
Pranay brings with him a refreshing blend of positive energy, creativity and contemporary thinking that is special to him.
Born and raised in Patna, Pranay, who is an accomplished musician, developed a strong inclination toward music from an early age itself . His academic journey took him to Maharashtra for engineering. Over the years, his professional path has led him across various parts of India and internationally, finally settling as a dual citizen between Bangalore and Hyderabad, cities he now calls home.
Around 2004, when Pranay was working with Novartis he was introduced to Viji Venkatesh by Ranjit Shahani, the then Managing Director of the pharmaceutical giant. Novartis had put in place a Patient Access Program for their drug, Glivec and this was a project Ranjit Shahani took great pride in. Viji who headed the program administration in India, The Max Foundation Team and who had founded Friends of Max for the beneficiaries and Pranay connected immediately and what followed next, marked the beginning of a beautiful, long and mutually beneficial association.
Over the years, Pranay has deftly divided his time between his high profile and hugely demanding professional life and two of his major passions ; music and volunteering at FOM. One of the projects at FOM that Pranay espoused almost from the time of its inception is FOM’s awareness and fundraising campaign, Chai for Cancer.
“I have always tried to connect my passion with my purpose,” says Pranay and his contribution to Chai for Cancer (CFC), through his passion for music is a true reflection of this sentiment.
It began with a small gathering at his little flat in Bangalore when Chai for Cancer had just been launched . Pranay and his wife Smita hosted the first of their Addas inviting FOM volunteers, friends and family over. The highlight was of course the live music performance by Pranay and his talented friends. Viji remembers this first Adda and fondly recollects the positive energies that suffused the little space and transformed it into something that set the ball rolling.
Pranay and that band of talented musicians known as B-Reloaded, have now without a break hosted Chai for Cancer Addas that have only grown in reach and scale . Straddling both cities he calls home , Bangalore and Hyderabad, these Addas have become a hallmark of his advocacy, successfully bringing his musical fraternity, friends, family and well-wishers together with his FOM community.
When asked recently to share his journey with Chai for Cancer, Pranay says:
“I have been bringing my passion and purpose together for the last 10 years. My passion for music has been able to help me get the attention of many people towards the purpose of unmet needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. More and more people have been getting connected and I am eternally grateful to everyone.
The most cherished of all the sessions, are the sessions which were attended and appreciated by our friends who are no longer with us. It makes me emotional every time I think of it but I also cherish the unforgettable moments.”
His advice to those facing a diagnosis of and living with cancer …
“There is a lot to be done to make the world a better place for patients and their families. We can’t allow a diagnosis to stop life mid way . On the other hand we have to keep enjoying the journey and make the world a better place!”
