R. Poongothai, Friends of Max City Chapter Leader from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, is our Patient Advocate for August 2024.
Poongothai’s Journey as a Patient Advocate
Poongothai’s story is a powerful reminder of the strength that comes from gratitude, hope and the care of a loving family.
Born into a typical middle-class environment, Poongothai remembers a childhood filled with happiness and a deep passion for sports. As a young athlete, she excelled in sprinting, proudly representing her state and university in the 100m and 200m dash. Her love for outdoors led her to pursue a Masters in Agricultural Science, which eventually shaped her career as an Agricultural Scientist working in a research laboratory.
Life took an unexpected turn in 1999 when Poongothai was diagnosed with CML shortly after giving birth to her son. Undeterred by the diagnosis, she bravely began treatment with Interferon and later joined a Glivec trial in the UK for one and a half years. She was later put in touch with The Max Foundation and Viji (Amma) by the trial coordinator marking the beginning of her journey with FOM.
Over the years, Poongothai has become an integral part of the Tamil Nadu FOM fraternity, participating in and supporting various initiatives including Patient Support Group Meetings and Chai for Cancer Addas. The Adda organised by her and her husband in their residential community was highly successful in raising awareness and funds for fellow patients living with CML and on lifelong treatment. Her commitment to advocacy did not stop there; she also volunteered with a local Trust on cancer awareness programs. Despite her certain health challenges these days, her support to patients and their families remains undeterred.
Poongothai lives in Coimbatore surrounded by a loving family- her husband Thirupathi and two sons. Their unwavering support has been her greatest strength. “I’m ever grateful to see my children grow in front of my eyes,” she says, cherishing each moment.
Her advice to CML patients:
Her message to others is simple yet profound: “Take your medicines and do your tests regularly. Be thankful to your caregivers and to your family. Always be grateful for what we have at any phase of our life. God always has better plans that we may not yet see.”
She would also like to send out a message to all those patients who have been on Glivec for over 10 years and whose BCR levels has been zero for the past 5 consecutive years. With their doctor’s guidance, they may want to explore Treatment Free Remission (to be without medication) while ensuring regular monitoring and testing. However, it’s important to remember that every patient’s physiology is different, so patients should only proceed with a doctor’s approval and access to necessary diagnostic test facilities.
