A CML and GIST Patient Support Group Meeting was organised by The Max Foundation for Friends of Max in association with JIPMER Hospital, in Puducherry on 26 Oct 2024. Kannan Arumugham, FOM attending FOM (Tamil Nadu) City Chapter Leader, was interviewed and asked to share his views:
1. How do these gatherings impact individuals, and what emotions surface when connecting with the FOM Community?
When our team begins calling the patients to invite them to the meeting, I often sense some initial reluctance from them. However, within just a couple of minutes, they start to feel comfortable, begin seeing FOM as a friend, and start speaking with us openly.
2. Now it has been 20 years since we have been doing patient support group meetings, how do you think the meetings have evolved, what are the new changes in the discussions and workshops that you are seeing?
I have been associated with FOM now for close to 20 years and yet every time I come for a meeting I find new information being shared which helps us patients and our families on our CML journeys. These meetings are also a wonderful opportunity for us to make new acquaintances and friends..
3. What would you like to see in future meetings?
I would like to see more patients attending the meetings with their families and adhering to the treatment protocols for the best possible outcomes in their cancer journey.
4. In your experience with Support Group meetings, can you share a specific instance where you witnessed a notable impact or positive outcome for a patient?
Our FOM meetings are especially useful for the newly joined FOM friends who have recently been diagnosed with CML. By attending these meetings they learn essential aspects of managing daily life with CML, such as maintaining healthy food habits, adhering to daily medication routines and more. Through our FOM meetings, we gain confidence in addressing the small challenges that arise along our CML journey, empowering us to face the future without fear.
