Our Patient Advocates for March 2026 are a group of three experienced, enthusiastic and committed City Chapter Leaders from the state of Assam. They have supported FOM with the utmost dedication for almost two decades.
These exemplary patient leaders from the North East of India have transformed their personal journeys with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) into powerful platforms of advocacy and support. Subhash Jain, Rajiv Kumar, and Wazir Bin Qutub from Assam stand together as a collective force, each bringing unique experiences, yet united by resilience and a shared commitment to extending FOM’s vision and mission to greater heights.
A Collective Voice of Strength – FOM’s Three Musketeers from Northeast India
Subhash Jain’s journey began far from hospitals, rooted instead in the world of sports. A national-level athlete, he proudly represented Assam in swimming, cycling and the triathlon.
Life took an unexpected turn when he was diagnosed with CML. Under the care of Dr. Suresh Advani, he was introduced to FOM which he believes marked a turning point in his life.
His first meeting with Amma remains unforgettable. Her warm embrace and reassuring words, “You don’t need to worry, I am with you, and you will be completely fine”, gave him the courage to move forward, transforming fear into strength. He often recalls it as one of the best days of his life.
Today, Subhash continues to channel that resilience into community engagement, actively contributing to FOM and organizations such as the Lions Club and the Assam Swimming Association, He lives in Guwahati with his lovely family, wife and two children.
Rajiv Kumar’s journey also reflects a powerful narrative of perseverance. Raised in an agrarian family, his early life was shaped by hardship, including devastating floods that affected his family’s livelihood. Despite these challenges, he found resources to leave his village and pursue higher education. Qualifying through a competitive examination he went on to complete his postgraduate degree in Zoology.
His CML diagnosis in 2010 brought with it significant emotional and financial challenges. It was during this time that he connected with FOM after learning about the Access Program through fellow patients. Since then, Rajiv has been deeply involved, particularly with the “Chai for Cancer” initiative, FOM’s unique awareness and fundraising campaign which he actively supports. He successfully conducted a CFC Adda in Bilaspur and later introduced it in Guwahati, marking it the first-ever Adda in Assam.
Rajiv is supported by his family, especially his wife, Meenakshi, who remains his constant pillar of strength. They have two sons, one pursuing MBBS in Patna and the other studying at IIT Dhanbad.
Wazir Bin Qutub, born and raised in Dibrugarh, Assam, (which he proudly states, also known as the “Tea City of India”), has built a multifaceted journey across sports, entrepreneurship and patient advocacy. He completed his schooling at Don Bosco High School and graduated in Economics from D.H.S. Kanoi College, later working in sales before establishing his own tourism and computer-related businesses.
A passionate sportsman, Wazir represented Assam in boxing at the national level and went on to become an International Referee/Judge with the Boxing Federation of India. Today, he holds several leadership roles, including Vice President of the Assam Amateur Boxing Association (AABA), Secretary of its Ring Official Commission, and President of the Dibrugarh District Amateur Boxing Association.
Wazir recalls being diagnosed with CML in 2003, upon which he was referred to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, where he began treatment under Dr. Tapan Saikia. Access to Imatinib through The Max Foundation brought him in touch with Amma, ensuring uninterrupted treatment and renewed hope. As FOM evolved, he has also become more involved in coordinating patient meetings and strengthening local networks in the region.
Beyond FOM, his commitment extends to co-founding the Pratishruti Cancer and Palliative Trust, where he serves as Joint Secretary, focusing on awareness, patient care and palliative support. He also supports a dedicated WhatsApp group for CML patients in Assam, helping address challenges related to medicine access and diagnostic testing.
Together, Subhash Jain, Rajiv Kumar and Wazir Bin Qutub embody the spirit of collective leadership. They continue to contribute actively to FOM and aspire “to see greater outreach and impact of Friends of Max across the whole of North East.”
