The Max Foundation

For many women living in low- and middle-income countries, the challenge of breast cancer is not only the disease itself, but also the barriers that stand between them and the care they need. That includes access to:

🔬Diagnostics
💊Treatment
🚌Transportation
💞 Support

Highlighting these realities, the documentary "Conquering Breast Cancer" features our medical partners in Nepal--Dr. Arun Shahi, Dr. RaJani Jha, and pharmacist Surya Narayan Gainju--Humanitarian PACT partner Dr. Fatima Cardoso from ABC Global Alliance, our CEO Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, and most importantly, women who receive treatment through our partnerships in Nepal.

🎥 Watch Conquering Breast Cancer and learn more about our efforts to ensure that life-extending treatment is available to everyone who needs it, regardless of where they live💗https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX0FBHBuBeE&t=10s

Conquering Breast Cancer | Global Edition | Official Trailer | 4K Imagine a world without cancer… this compelling social impact film ...

Today, we celebrate Nelia Calupas Medina's retirement after 22 years of serving people living with cancer in the Philippines👏🏽

Nelia, thank you for your contributions over the years, all while bringing dedication and positivity to your work. As one of your colleagues said:

🗨️"She is the center of any gathering and party. Nelia has never failed to bring smiles and laughter to those around her."

Please join us in wishing Nelia a joyful retirement filled with new adventures and cherished moments🌷 Leave a message for Nelia below to help us celebrate her incredible career ⬇️

👩🏽‍👧🏽 Breast cancer affects more than patients alone.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 million children lost their mothers to cancer in 2020, and 1 in 4 of those deaths were due to breast cancer.
Behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a community navigating an unimaginable loss.

Access to early diagnosis and effective treatment can help change this story.

Join Max team members and global health leaders next week for a conversation about expanding access to breast cancer care in low- and middle-income countries.

📅 October 6, 2026
⏰ 8:00-9:00 AM PT
🔗 Register now: https://buff.ly/701rJmc

A milestone with our partners at Incyte worth celebrating. 🌐

But what does it actually take to make access possible across multiple countries?

Swipe to find out ➡️

Much of the work that pharmacists like Surya do happens behind the scenes, but it's essential to helping patients continue receiving the treatment they need.

On World Pharmacists Day, we recognize the important role that these professionals play in making access to treatment possible!

You can more about Surya Narayan Gainju, the Chief Pharmacist at Patan Hospital in Nepal, to learn how he ensures people access the medicine they need: https://themaxfoundation.org/stories/behind-patient-access-the-pharmacist-keeping-hope-moving-in-nepal/

Meet Ashika Naik, our Program Officer in Bangalore, India, since 2011. Swipe to learn more about Ashika, her role, and what inspires her ➡️

💞 What is a special memory you have with patients?

During a support group meeting, a patient asked how I was doing. When I said I was well, he replied, "That's important. If you are well, then we will be well too." That moment stayed with me and reinforced the profound impact that compassion, connection, and human kindness can have on a patient's life.

🗓️ Describe a typical work week:

✔️ Planning, coordinating, and supporting patient programs
✔️ Collaborating with colleagues and partners to ensure patients receive the support they need
✔️ Learning something new every week
✔️ Finding new ways to help advance our mission and support our patient community

🤝🏽 If you could describe The Max Foundation in three words, what would they be?

Accessible. Supportive. Patient-centered.

📸 If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?

Photography. I would love to capture beautiful moments.

🗣️ What languages do you speak?

English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Tulu.

🏙️ What do you love most about where you live?

Bangalore's pleasant weather and its perfect blend of modern city life with a calm, welcoming atmosphere.

🌿 When you're not working, what do you like to do for fun?

Watching movies, travelling, listening to music, exploring new places, trying new foods, and spending time with family.

🍽️ What's your favorite food?

I'm a foodie, so choosing just one favorite is almost impossible!

⭐ If you could have dinner with someone famous, who would it be?

Priyanka Chopra Jonas. I admire her journey and would love to hear about her experiences, challenges, and inspirations.

🎈 What is your favorite holiday and how do you celebrate it?

Diwali. I love celebrating with family, visiting relatives, sharing sweets, and enjoying good food together.

https://themaxfoundation.org/stories/meet-the-max-team-ashika/

For years, Sapana lived with fever and weakness without knowing what was causing them. She continued her education through repeated tests, hospital visits, and uncertainty before finally receiving a diagnosis of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria.

Today, she is working as an accountant, her health is improving, and she says she feels more stable and hopeful.

Read Sapana’s story and how access to a new treatment option through our partnership with Novartis has helped create a clearer path forward ➡️

https://themaxfoundation.org/stories/the-impact-of-partnerships-on-patients/

Germán, de 49 años, vive con su madre en Mariposas, Bolivia. En el año 2000, comenzaron a aparecer moretones en su cuerpo y se le hinchó la rodilla.

Esos síntomas marcaron el inicio de un largo y difícil camino con leucemia mieloide crónica (LMC). Germán gastó todos sus ahorros en medicamentos que no estaban funcionando, lo que lo dejó sintiéndose desesperanzado y enojado.

En 2004, pudo acceder a tratamiento gratuito gracias a nuestras alianzas con Novartis y médicos locales, las cuales ayudan a 400 personas que viven con cáncer en Bolivia.

Hoy, Germán puede concentrarse en trabajar, cuidar de su madre y disfrutar de su pasatiempo favorito: la apicultura. 🐝

En este Día Mundial de la LMC, honramos la resiliencia de personas como Germán.
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Germán, 49, lives with his mother in Mariposas, Bolivia. In 2000, bruises started appearing on his body and his knee swelled up.

Those symptoms were the beginning of a long and difficult journey with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Germán spent all his savings on medication that wasn’t working, leaving him feeling hopeless and angry.

In 2004, he gained access to treatment free of charge through our partnerships with Novartis and local physicians which help 400 people living with cancer in Bolivia.

Now, Germán can focus on working, taking care of his mother, and his favorite hobby: beekeeping 🐝

On this World CML Day, we’re honoring the resilience of people like Germán.

Learn more about his life in Mariposas ➡️ https://themaxfoundation.org/stories/the-long-road-to-cancer-treatment/