Friends of Max, Worli, Mumbai (2026)

03/02/2026

On the eve of , here are some powerful memories from past WCD message … an amalgamation of voices from patients, caregivers and the Trustees of Friends of Max.

Each one is a reminder that while a cancer diagnosis is never easy, they have consciously chosen to overcome it and live well, with courage and hope.

Photo 1 Feb 3, 2017: Viji Venkatesh & Dr Hari Menon, writes Viji, “When the people you need are only one phone call away, one text message or one email away you know you are in good company and in the best hands.”

Photo 2 Feb 3, 2019: Ashraf Abdul Latif who has the great ability to rise above his own troubles. He believes in inspiring others to cope with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia, a rare kind of blood cancer.

Photo 3 Feb 3, 2021: FOM Trustee Pramod George shares, "I am positive in my fight, and I will remain positive".

Video 1 Feb 3 2023: "इस बीमारी से मत डरो" (Do not be afraid of this disease)- Ram Babu Mahto

Photo 4 Feb 3 2024: Kavita Vellapan shares, “You will have an illness only if you let people impose it on you.”

Video 2 Feb 3 2025: FOM Trustee Nagendran N shares, “A Cancer patient is like a ‘lighthouse of hope’ for all people in the society.”

UICC - Union for International Cancer Control International CML Foundation CML Advocates Network MPN Advocates Network

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

02/02/2026

SAVE THE DATE- KOCHI PATIENT MEETING COMING UP

The Max Foundation and Friends of Max are organising a Support Group Meeting for CML and GIST patients and their caregivers on 28th February 2026 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm in Kochi, Kerala

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

👉Date: 28th February 2026, Saturday
👉Timing: 09.00 am to 04.00 pm
👉Venue: Amritayanam Hall, B Block, 3rd Floor, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Pillattu Road, Kochi, Kerala 682041

Viji Venkatesh Amrita Hospital, Kochi Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Beena Narayanan Ashika Naik Shaileja Nambiar

29/01/2026

We start the New Year with celebrating a new Patient Advocate who has been an integral part of the old guard of Friends of Max (FOM).

FOM is proud to present Ramanathan Sheshadri from Nagpur as our Patient Advocate for the month of January 2026.

Shesh, as he is fondly called has been an inspiring and invaluable role model right from the beginning when he was a core City Chapter Leader in Bangalore and then in Calcutta … going back more than 20 years.

To continue to read click here: https://friendsofmax.info/patient_advocates/ramanathan-sheshadri/

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

28/01/2026

While memories from the Musical Adda linger on…

The Saturday night of 24th January was truly something special. Paushali and Farrukh’s Musical Chai for Cancer Adda brought together over 140 people on X (formerly Twitter) and more than 1500 joining from outside X, all for their love of music and a common cause.

Powered by the melodious voices of Paushali and Farrukh, both passionate singers, the evening was a blend of songs that touched every kind of music lover, each note carrying hope and compassion for patients who are living with cancer and on lifelong treatment.

Where did those two hours go? Honestly, don’t ask us. We were happily lost, listening to one beautiful song after another. And the generosity flowed just as freely, over 400 cups of chai raised, poured straight from the heart.

A heartfelt thank you to Manvendra Jha, Joylina Cecil Faroz, AK Singh, Aadil Desai, Tata Nagendra Mouli, Nimish Dubey, Kokee Sachdeva, Kanchan Singh, Srinath, Sameer Nai, Kausar J Hilaly, Ishi, Vivek Gupta, AK Sinha, Jabin, Aishwarya Kumari and Mukesh Marda for standing by and supporting the cause so generously.

And a special note of gratitude to Paushali and Farrukh, thank you for lending not just your voice but your hearts too, to Chai for Cancer and patients living with cancer.

Viji Venkatesh

28/01/2026

Nagpur, CML & GIST Patient Support Group Meet

On January 24, The Max Foundation organised a Patient support Group Meeting for CML and GIST patients and caregivers for Friends of Max. This much awaited meeting brought together 58 patients and caregivers for a day of learning and sharing with one another.

This meeting was made possible with the invaluable support of Dr Ganju Avtar Krishan , Senior Consultant (Hematology), Ganju Hematology Clinic & Hospital, and our dedicated Friends of Max City Chapter Leaders, led by Ramanathan Sheshadri.

For many patients it was a first-time attending a Support Group Meeting. It gave them an opportunity to become a part of the FOM community and learn about the many forms of support FOM offers to patients and families living with these life-altering conditions. Insightful sessions on CML Management by Dr. Ganju and The Importance of Treatment Compliance by Dr. Amol Dongre , Director Medical Oncology, Max Hospital, helped address key concerns and further empower patients and their families with clarity and confidence.

A special highlight of the meeting was the Storytelling Workshop led by The Max Foundation India team—creating a safe space to share lived experiences and strengthen bonds.

Representing Friends of Max were Nirmesh Prakash, Trustee & Secretary, along with City Chapter Leaders Ramanathan Sheshadri, Manoj Katrojwar, Simran Thoolkar and Prakash Ramkrishna Rayalkar from Nagpur.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, The Max Foundation Beena Narayanan Shaileja Nambiar, our City Chapter Leaders, and the entire Friends of Max community for making this meeting truly successful.

Viji Venkatesh

24/01/2026

22 January 2026

The Women X Health panel discussion at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, as part of its flagship event Ujali, organised by The Women’s Commission, was truly special.

A powerful theme, thoughtfully curated and relevant questions, an excellent moderator, empathetic organisers, a committed team of volunteers, and most importantly a deeply engaged audience of over 50 young college-going adults (women and men) came together to create a meaningful dialogue.

The session featured Dr. Indrani Joshi and Viji Venkatesh, whose medical expertise and lived experiences beautifully complemented each other as they explored what truly impacts women across different stages of life.

The discussion covered a wide spectrum of questions on Breast Cancer Awareness—from medical basics, treatment options, lifestyle and precautions, to gender bias, stigma, fear, emotional and social impact, age-appropriate communication, coping mechanisms for patients and caregivers, healthcare access and policies, urban vs rural realities, national vs international perspectives, Chai for Cancer and the critical need to raise funds for patients and their families. It also laid emphasis on the urgent need to care for caregivers as well. The conversation also highlighted what must be done to build robust and equitable healthcare access for patients and families living with cancer.

Held from 4–6 pm at the MMR (Multi-Media Room), St. Xavier’s College, the session was insightful, engaging, and impactful—an afternoon well spent indeed.

On behalf of Friends of Max and Viji Venkatesh, Thank you Diya Rahul, The Women’s Commission and St Xaviers for making us a part of this very important conversation.

AICUF Maharashtra. St.Xavier's Mumbai The Max Foundation

22/01/2026

Friends of Max Managing Trustee, Viji Venkatesh, is a featured speaker at Women X Health today at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai— that brings together medical expertise and lived experiences to explore what truly impacts women across different stages of life.

The conversation is part of its flagship event Ujali, happening at the college which aims to shed light on women's health issues especially breast cancer awareness.

From physical well-being to self-perception and care, this session promises to be honest, informative and deeply relevant.

22nd January
4:00 – 6:00 PM
at MMR

Featuring:
• Viji Venkatesh
• Dr. Indrani Joshi

We’re truly happy and grateful to be part of this meaningful conversation that puts women’s voices and health at the center.

AICUF Maharashtra. St.Xavier's Mumbai The Max Foundation

21/01/2026

We are feeling so proud today!

Friends of Max City Chapter Leader from Kolkata, Satadipa Das, was recently declared Mrs India Global – East 2026 at a glittering event held in Kochi. She was also awarded the title of “Inspiring”.

https://youtube.com/shorts/z86AMGyfFm0?si=ppbM0uFzWIdd6QEI

Congratulations Satadipa this is a true reflection of who you are!

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

19/01/2026

PATIENT SUPPORT GROUP MEETING IN NAGPUR

The Max Foundation and Friends of Max are organising a Support Group Meeting for CML and GIST patients and their caregivers on Saturday, 24th January 2026 from 9.00AM to 2.00PM in Nagpur.

Date: 24th January 2026, Saturday
Timing: 9.00AM to 2.00PM
Venue: Dr. M.P. Paithankar Hall, Indian Medical Association, IMA House, Near Hadas High School, North Ambazari Road, Nagpur- 440010

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

Viji Venkatesh Beena Narayanan Priyanka Kandalgaokar Kubal Ashika Naik Shaileja NambiarChai for Cancer

14/01/2026

We are pleased to share the latest edition of the Friends of Max newsletter, highlighting the impact of our growing global footprint in the area of patient advocacy and interventions.

This issue showcases FOM’s representation at major global CML, GIST, and MPN conferences, amplifying the voices of patients from India on international platforms and bringing back valuable learnings to strengthen our outreach efforts.

We hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as we enjoyed creating it for you!

You can also read it online by clicking the link
https://friendsofmax.info/home/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/FOM_NL37_OctDec2025.pdf

Viji Venkatesh The Max Foundation CML Advocates Network MPN Advocates Network Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network - SPAGN International CML Foundation

13/01/2026

Memories from 2013

to the first ever Friends of Max Patient Support Group Meeting in Coimbatore which was held in 2013 at the G. Kuppuswamy Naidu Memorial Hospital - GKNMH. This was in conjunction with GKNMH’s Survivor’s Day Celebrations.

The Max Foundation was represented at this meeting by Viji Venkatesh (then Max South Asia Region Head) and Beena Narayanan, who were joined in by Friends of Max City Chapter Leaders from Chennai, inspiring all patients and their families.

Highlight of the meeting was Viji Venkatesh educating CML patients on the importance of knowing their PCR, and providing them with “What is My PCR?” badges & other FAQs.

The Q&A session was presided over by Viji, Beena and GKNMH hospital’s Dr Suthanthira Kannan, Dr Nagaraj and Dr T P Ramakrishnan. The day ended with delicious lunch, lots of love, exchanging numbers and lots of photographs to cherish the memory.

Since this very first meeting, many more The Max Foundation and FOM Patient Support Group Meetings have continued to be held in Coimbatore, in collaboration with hospitals and physicians, providing a safe and secure platform for all patients and their families to share and learn from one another.

Friends of Max

03/02/2026

02/02/2026

29/01/2026

28/01/2026

28/01/2026

24/01/2026

22/01/2026

21/01/2026

19/01/2026

14/01/2026

13/01/2026

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