Meet Suresh Pawar, Friends of Max (FOM) City Chapter Leader from Mumbai, and FOM’s Patient Advocate for July 2025.
Walking With Us- An Advocate We Rely On
Suresh’s journey is one of quiet strength. Born into a modest family, life took a difficult turn when Suresh lost his father at the tender age of eight. In 1980, facing financial hardships, his mother made the decision to place him under the care of the Children’s Aid Society—a home for destitute children. There, amidst uncertainty, Suresh found love and care and excelled academically.
He passed his SSC examinations with distinction, scoring an impressive 82%. This achievement enabled him to pursue a diploma in Electrical Engineering, setting him on the path toward professional and personal growth.
In September 2005, life took another unexpected turn when Suresh was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). It was a difficult diagnosis, but it also became the beginning of another chapter—one filled with purpose and connection. Attending his first Patient Support Group Meeting at Bombay Hospital, Suresh witnessed the energy and commitment of Friends of Max (FOM) volunteer leaders like Pramod, Nirmesh (both Trustees now of FOM) and Kerul (Mumbai City Chapter Leader) . Inspired by their compassion and dedication, he resolved to become a volunteer himself.
Since then, Suresh has made it his mission to attend and actively participate in every FOM meeting and Chai for Cancer Adda he can. With “tan, man, dhan“—his body, mind, and resources—he offers unwavering support to his fellow CML members and to FOM. Every year he generously donates and is just a call away for us at FOM.
“I can never give back as much as I have received from The Max Foundation and Friends of Max,” he often says, “but I will always try. My life is a gift from them.”
Among the many meaningful experiences he cherishes is one involving a young girl named Saloni, the daughter of a fellow CML patient. A few years ago, she had scored around 65% in her exams. Suresh remembers sitting down to speak with her, offering words of encouragement. Recently, she scored an outstanding 89% in her SSC exams and now dreams of pursuing Science with a focus on IT. “To watch her grow like that—it’s one of the most rewarding parts of being a volunteer,” he reflects.
Suresh’s spirit of service goes beyond FOM, He is a dedicated volunteer with BKN, Children Aid Society, Supporting for education aid and awareness programs on use of tobacco and its direct effect on occurrence of cancer. In his free time, he also volunteers with “Vinimay Trust” an NGO which supports orphans offering them shelter, guidance and rehabilitation as they transition into adulthood.
At home (in Mumbai), Suresh finds happiness with his wife, daughter, and son—both grown and doing well in their respective lives.
His advice to other CML patients:
“Life is beautiful. When you take something from society, it becomes your duty to give back to it.”
