Friends of Max, Worli, Mumbai (2025)

24/09/2025

A Support Group Meeting was held on Saturday, 13 September 2025 for CML and GIST patients in Pune at the Cancer Center, Ruby Hall Clinic.

We spoke to Milan Hakani, FOM (Pune) City Chapter Leader, to share his experience.

Here is what he had to say:
https://friendsofmax.info/newsflash/a-patients-perspective-on-the-pune-meeting-by-milan-hakani/

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Shaileja Nambiar Beena Narayanan Ashika Naik Chai for Cancer Avantor AMEA

23/09/2025

Celebrating week

Leaving No Patient Behind...

At Friends of Max, we believe that equity in action begins with creating safe and secure platform where no patient feels alone in their CML journey.

Our monthly regional Patient Support Group Meetings are exactly that—patients and caregivers come together to engage in discussions, share lived experiences and learn from each other.

With leading oncologists from top hospitals across the country, these meetings offer not only medical insights but also the emotional, social and practical support needed by patients and their caregivers to cope with lifelong therapy.

At the recently concluded Patient Support Group Meeting at Ramaiah Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru (30 August 2025), we invited patients, caregivers and physicians to reflect on what the meeting meant to them.

Here is what they had to say.

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Jyotiy Parameshwaran Chai for Cancer Shaileja Nambiar CML Advocates Network Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Avantor AMEA

23/09/2025

As the celebrations continue- more voices to share...connecting us together in our mission.

Leaving no patient behind

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation CML Advocates Network Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Chai for Cancer

22/09/2025

Today is World CML Day!

We join our Friends of Max Patient Leaders and Trustees and the global community in celebrating the spirit of life with CML.

Our voices and stories remind us that with the right care, support, and hope — life with CML is not just possible, it’s meaningful.

We are proud to amplify the voices of our Friends of Max Patient Leaders — individuals who thrive through treatment compliance, regular monitoring, and follow-ups with their physicians. Beyond their own journeys, they guide, advocate, and inspire newly diagnosed patients and families — reminding us that together, we can share, learn, and grow stronger.

Leaving No CML Patient Behind … because every person, no matter where they live, deserves equal access to diagnosis, treatment, and support.

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation CML Advocates Network Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Chai for Cancer Nitesh Verma

19/09/2025

Strengthening Health Systems:
Training Sessions at Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC), Silchar, Assam, India (September 3-10, 2025)

“When you set out to teach, you’re the one who ends up learning the most”, Viji Venkatesh.

From September 3 to 10, 2025, Viji Venkatesh, Managing Trustee, Friends of Max, conducted an intensive series of training and support sessions at the Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre. The invitation came from , Director of CCHRC, and a long-standing professional associate of Viji Venkatesh and Friends of Max.

The focus of the visit was to work closely with the hospital staff across departments, equipping them with soft skills essential to delivering compassionate and patient-centered care. Over the course of eight days, Viji engaged with more than 150 members of the clinical team, including physicians, nurses, administrative staff, laboratory technicians, housekeeping, and canteen staff.

The training modules covered a wide spectrum, ranging from communication and coping skills to care for caregivers, volunteer and advocacy workshops, art, drama therapy, and storytelling.

Special attention was also given to sessions on self-care, particularly for physicians and professionals working in Palliative and Pediatric Oncology—underscoring the importance of well-being among those who care for others.

In addition to the staff training, Viji also held five dedicated Patient Support Group Meetings for individuals and families affected by Leukemias, Head & Neck Cancers, Women’s Cancers, Malignancies of the GI Tracts, and Pediatric Cancers.

The common will to serve the patients - better and better every day combined with their daily enthusiasm to learn and grow ensured the sessions maintained an atmosphere of energy and engagement until the very end, making the eight days a journey of mutual learning.

Friends of Max and Viji Venkatesh extend our heartfelt gratitude to his wife Seetha, and the entire Cachar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre team for their warmth and hospitality. Their support made the collaboration truly impactful and memorable, and provided a valuable opportunity to share our experience in cancer care and management.

The Max Foundation Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Shaileja Nambiar Chai for Cancer

18/09/2025

On , as we celebrate the progress in CML care and advocacy we also reaffirm our call for equitable access to emotional, informational, and practical support for every patient and caregiver—everywhere.

Together with The Max Foundation, treating institutions and physicians, we’ve planned a week full of activities to ensure no patient gets left behind.

Leaving no patient behind...

Viji Venkatesh Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Tata Memorial Hospital Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur Post graduate institute of medical education and research, Pgimer. Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Shaileja Nambiar Chai for Cancer

18/09/2025

The Patient Support Group Meeting held on Saturday, 13 September 2025 at the Cancer Centre, Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune brought together a community of 54 patients along with their family members, The Max Foundation India team, Friends of Max Trustees and City Chapter Leaders from Pune. With the generous support of Avantor AMEA, the meeting proved to be an inspiring day of learning, sharing, and caring.

The daylong program (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) was thoughtfully designed to address the holistic needs of patients and caregivers. Some of the highlights included:

• Warm Welcome and Setting the Context: The meeting opened with a welcome by Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal, Regional Program Manager, The Max Foundation, followed by Amruta Patidar, Friends of Max Trustee, who highlighted Friends of Max’s role as a Patient Support Group and the benefits of collective strength and advocacy.
• Focus on Mental Health in Cancer Care: Ms. Ateka Sayeed, Clinical Psychologist, Cancer Centre, Ruby Hall Clinic, delivered an engaging session on mental wellbeing in cancer patients. Drawing from her daily experiences, she shared practical insights and useful tips on building mental resilience, which were warmly received by all the participants.
• Living Well with CML – Ask the Experts: A highly interactive Q&A medical session, moderated by Dr. Vijay Ramanan with expert inputs from Dr. Chakor Vora and Dr. Abhijit Baheti, emerged as the highlight of the day. Through his characteristic humor and clarity, Dr. Ramanan reinforced the value of simple living and treatment compliance for better health outcomes.
• Speak A Story – Interactive Workshop: Conducted by the The Max Foundation team, this workshop created a safe, empowering space where patients and caregivers shared their journeys. It was a therapeutic experience, giving both patients and caregivers the opportunity to speak from their hearts.
• BCR ABL and CBC testing of 48 patients conducted at no cost to the patient
• Disease related information material and breakfast, lunch and tea provided to all the participants.
• Vote of Thanks expressed on behalf the FOM and all the patients and caregivers by Jayant Duwedi, City Chapter Leader, Pune.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Team Avantor AMEA Pune & Ruby Hall Clinic for their unwavering support and presence.

With this meeting, we successfully concluded the series of three Patient Support Group Meetings supported by Avantor AMEA, re-energizing the FOM CML and GIST community of patients and caregivers with renewed confidence and hope.

Viji Venkatesh Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Shaileja Nambiar Chai for Cancer

17/09/2025

THEME OF WORLD CML DAY 2025: Equity in Action – Leaving No CML Patient Behind

Advances in treatment have transformed CML into a condition where patients, if treated effectively, can live long and healthy lives. Yet, challenges remain — access to timely diagnosis, treatment and essential monitoring which is not equal everywhere.

Without reliable access to testing, patients face a higher risk of poor disease management or relapse.

At Friends of Max we address this gap through our DIAGNOSTIC PROJECT, which provides free/subsidised rate BCR-ABL and CBC tests at patients’ homes — anywhere in India. Every month, we conduct 150+ such tests where samples are collected from patients’ homes, ensuring no patient is left behind.

So far, we have completed 4,000+ tests across India, including in aspirational districts — some of the country’s most underserved regions.

On , we thank all our CSR partners and individual supporters for making this possible, and invite other CSR donors, Foundations, and partners to join us in this mission — so that no CML patient is left behind.

Let’s stand together for EQUITABLE ACCESS TO MONITORING FOR EVERY CML PATIENT.

Get involved today! Write to us at friendsofmax@gmail.com
Visit https://friendsofmax.info/

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Chai for Cancer Shaileja Nambiar Avantor AMEA MTAR Technologies Pvt Ltd CML Advocates Network International CML Foundation

11/09/2025

PATIENT MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT JAIPUR

The Max Foundation and Friends of Max in association with , Gandhi Hospital, Jaipur are celebrating World CML Day 2025 by organising a Support Group Meeting for CML patients and their caregivers on 20th Sept 2025 from 10:30am to 1:30pm in Jaipur.

Date: 20th September 2025, Saturday
Timing: 10:30am to 1:30pm
Venue: Vivekananda Hall, Mahatma Gandhi Medical College Hospital, Sitapura, Jaipur, Rajasthan – 302022

Request all patients in and around to attend and make the meeting a success.

Leaving no patient behind...

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation CML Advocates Network Lalit Mohan Sharma Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Shaileja Nambiar Jyotiy Parameshwaran

11/09/2025

A Caregiver's Perspective on the Bengaluru Patient Support Group Meeting held on 30 August 2025

After the meeting we asked our City Chapter Leader from Bengaluru, Roopa Mahesh, to share her experience.

This is what she had to say!
https://friendsofmax.info/newsflash/a-caregivers-perspective-on-the-bengaluru-patient-support-group-meeting-by-roopa-mahesh/

Viji Venkatesh Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal The Max Foundation Ashika Naik Beena Narayanan Chai for Cancer Shaileja Nambiar Avantor AMEA Ramaiah Memorial Hospital

10/09/2025

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Max Foundation and Friends of Max in association with Post graduate institute of medical education and research, Pgimer. are celebrating World CML Day by organising a Support Group Meeting for CML patients and their caregivers on 28th September 2025 from 08.00 am to 01.00 pm at Chandigarh.

👉Date: 28th September 2025, Sunday
Timing: 08.00 am to 01.00 pm
Venue: Bhargava Auditorium, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012

Request all patients in and around to attend and make the meeting a success.

Leaving no patient behind...

Viji Venkatesh Shaileja Nambiar Beena Narayanan Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Chai for Cancer

05/09/2025

PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP MEETING -BENGALURU | 30 August 2025- TOGETHER, WE SHARE AND LEARN

The day long Patient Support Group Meeting held on Saturday, 30th August 2025 at Ramaiah Institute of Oncosciences, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital brought together 47patients and caregivers, representatives from The Max Foundation India, Friends of Max Trustees Viji Venkatesh , Nagendran Nagarajan, Pranay Ranjan & Bengaluru City Chapter Leaders- Roopa and Mahesh, Kiran BS, Ashok Kashyap, Deepak Mahadevan. We are deeply grateful to Avantor AMEA for their generous support, and to Ramaiah Institute of Oncology which made this meeting possible.

Some highlights of the meeting included insightful talks on treatment compliance and the importance of regular monitoring by Dr Mouna, Assistant Professor, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Bengaluru and Dr Nishil Gowda, Assistant Professor also from Ramaiah Memorial Hospital Bengaluru, respectively, interactive Q&A sessions with leading oncologists from leading hospitals of Bengaluru and an interactive workshop where patients and caregivers shared personal journeys.

Some leading oncologists who were part of the Q&A included Dr Sanjukta Rao(Haematologist and BMT physician, St John’s Hospital), Dr Santosh Devadas (HOD & Consultant-Department of Medical Oncology & Chief-Bone Marrow Transplant, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital), Dr Shekhar Patil (Senior Consultant Medical Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre) and Dr Vinayak Maka (Consultant Medical Oncology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital). This session allowed patients face to face interactions with physicians to go beyond regular OPD consultations and allowed for patients to clear many doubts and seek answers to their many health related queries.

Stories of Strength-an Interactive workshop, one of the most impactful sessions of the day conducted by the The Max Foundation India Team Beena Narayanan Ashika Naik. This session provided a safe space for patients and caregivers to share personal journeys. It emphasized teamwork, empathy, and the power of community.

Participants also benefited from free BCR-ABL and CBC testing, along with CML related educational resources and community support, making the day a meaningful blend of knowledge-sharing, emotional connection, and care.

This meeting was the second in a series of three Patient Support Group Meetings supported by Avantor, reinforcing not just the importance of knowledge-sharing, but also the emotional and community support that Friends of Max continues to extend to patients and caregivers.

Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Shaileja Nambiar Chai for Cancer

Friends of Max

24/09/2025

23/09/2025

23/09/2025

22/09/2025

19/09/2025

18/09/2025

18/09/2025

17/09/2025

11/09/2025

11/09/2025

10/09/2025

05/09/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share