A diagnosis of cancer can bring out strong fears and anxieties in many people. Access to medicine and family support can go a long way to ease the fears. There is a feeling of isolation that sets in, however, which can have a big impact on patients’ emotional well being. No one knows what someone is going through unless they are going through it themselves. Patient support groups address this need.

We invite you to visit the websites of local patient groups supported by The Max Foundation to learn more about each of their unique goals and events.

Cameroon - Association Solidarité Chimiothérapie / Solidarity Chemotherapy (SOCHIMIO)

History: SOCHIMIO is defined as an NGO (NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION) of reflection, action and solidarity which works to take care of cancer patients in Cameroon.

La SOCHIMIO (Solidarité Chimiothérapie) se définit comme une ONG de réflexion, d'action et de solidarité qui œuvre pour la prise en charge des malades du cancer au Cameroun.

Website: www.sochimio.com

Dominican Republic - Un Paso Max

History: "Un Paso Max" is a nonprofit organization in Dominican Republic that started in 2008 with the goal to provide support, education and information to patients and families with GIST and CML. The patient group Un Paso Max started as an initiative of a small group of patients that have been blessed by the international program GIPAP, created by Novartis Pharma and administered by The Max Foundation.

"Un Paso Max" es un grupo sin fines de lucro de República Dominicana que inició en el 2008 con el objetivo de dar apoyo y orientación sobre la Leucemia y el Cáncer Gastrointestinal (GIST) a personas (pacientes y familiares) que requieran informaciones sobre estas enfermedades. Surge como iniciativa de varios pacientes que ya han sido favorecidos por el programa internacional GIPAP, creado por Novartis Phama y The Max Foundation.

Blog: www.unpasomax.wordpress.com
HI5:unpasomax.hi5.com
Twitter:twitter.com/unpasomax
Sonico:www.sonico.com/unpasomax

Kenya - Henzo GIPAP Kenya

History: Henzo GIPAP Kenya was created with the mission of providing support in the region for Leukemia and GIST patients, care givers and the general public through Community Education, Empowerment and Social Networking

The group’s vision is to create public awareness about Leukemia & GIST and to advocate for affordable and proper diagnosis and treatment

Website: www.henzogipapkenya.or.ke

Venezuela - ASAPHE

History: ASAPHE ~ Association of Help for Hemato-oncological Patients, is a non governmental, non profit civil association of people living with CML and GIST. It started activities as a group of patients in March 2003 and became legallyrecognized on August 5, 2004, with the objective of promoting integral attention to affected individuals, offering them information in regards to their illness and available treatments. The mission is to support people with hemato-oncological illnesses and GIST to help them maintain their quality of life and be integrated into society.

Website: www.asaphe.org.ve

El Salvador- Asociación Amor a la Vida

History: “Asociación Amor a la Vida" was born as a hope for populations affected by leukemia in El Salvador. Established in 2007, the group received legal status in the Official Newspapers published on May 29, 2008. The group objective is to help, protect and improve quality of life in patients who are diagnosed with certain type of leukemia. The group aims to be pioneers in creating the First Cytogenetic Lab in El Salvador, which will be available for all populations within the country that suffer from leukemia. One project is to build a hostel which will serve patients and families with limited resources, as a place where they can have accommodation, since most of them reside in the countryside and move to San Salvador for treatment or hospitalization. The Love of Life Association, as it is called in English, is committed to helping patients and families by establishing a channel of direct communication in the various Assistance Centers to the public network so that patients can receive personalized attention and access to quality equipment and specialists. This is especially important in the Hospital Rosales, which serves almost 80% of the population affected by the disease.

Website: www.amoralavida.webs.com

India - Friends of Max (FOM)

History: Friends of Max is a patient group with chapters all across India. The original chapter was born out of people living with blood cancer and GIST and their families who emailed together through a Yahoo Group and, after so much enjoyment, started having regular gatherings. Today, Friends of Max continues to have local events in each of the 12 cities, but also comes together annually for an All India Patient Gathering with as many as 1000 guests in attendance.

Chapters across India: Mumbai, Kolkota, Delhi, Chennai, Kerala, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Amedabad, Bangalore, Pune, Jaipur and Patna.

Website: www.friendsofmax.info

Malaysia - Max Family

History: Formed in July 2006 by local CML patients, Max Family aims to make a difference in the lives of people living with CML by helping them to overcome challenges and improve their quality of life. Max Family supports and helps CML patients by providing information on CML, focusing on the emotional and psychosocial aspects of the disease and advising on various job opportunities (which could help improve patients’ financial status). This support group also promotes self-empowerment and advocacy among patients, care givers and their family members.

Blog: www.mymaxfamily.blogspot.com

Philippines - Touched By MAX

History: Glivec has touched the lives of CML and GIST patients, families and friends. Cognizant of the gift of Glivec providing one with enhanced and extended time to lead fulfilling lives, the core group of patients responding to the call to organized the First Anniversary of GIPAP (Glivec International Patient Assistance Program) event in the Philippines in February 2004 and called themselves, D’GIPAP Pinoys, CML and GIST Cancer Warriors’ Touched by Max. The logo representing the group name was conceptualized and inspired by Michelangelo’s “Creation” of Divine Intervention, GIPAP as an instrument and conduit of His blessings shall catalyze the recipients and families to likewise give back and pass on the spark, rippling through the waters and hopefully making waves of differences.

Website: touchedbymax.weebly.com/

Mexico - Asociacion Mexicana de Leucemia y GIST (AMELEG)

History: The group was formed in 2006 in Mexico City by local patients diagnosed with CML and GIST and caregivers. The mission was to support and empower each other in order to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. In October of 2008 the group was legally recognized by the government and registered. The group organizes monthly meeting where the participants get a chance to share their stories and experiences. Usual guests, local physicians, answers questions regarding diagnosis and treatments and a group of psychologist are available to answer questions about emotional and mental concerns of patients and caregivers. Today they have chapters in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Tapachula and Monterrey.

Website: www.ameleg.org.mx