PATIENT TESTIMONIAL
Dear [MaxStation], Thanks for this e-mail. You are one person that my wife and I can never forget. I remember when we were heartbroken and sad to know that I was suffering from CML and could not hold back my tears, you being so young, took our hands and assured us that things will be better, you were the one to give us the confidence and courage to stand up to this illness. I can never thank you enough for it. God bless you and may you always be happy and prosperous in life. Though I am in a little bit of pain, but thanks to The Max Foundation and all you lovely people and also most importantly [my doctor], (who is not only a wonderful human being but a gentleman doctor) that I am much better and can walk about without much discomfort. This is a fact that I raise you all up in prayer and thank our Almighty God that he has associated me with all of you. God bless you, who always has a nice word for all of us... Thank you and with kind regards, Yours sincerely, [Patient from India] Patient meeting in Pune (India).
The Max Foundation is a US-based non-profit cancer organization with international focus.
The Max Foundation
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Donations may be made to The Max Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization by: Mail
The Max Foundation 110 W. Dayton, Suite 205 Edmonds, WA 98020 USA
OUR MISSION The Max Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives and survival rates of patients with blood-related cancers worldwide. OUR VISION The Max Foundation envisions a world in which all cancer patients have access to the best treatments, care, and support available.
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Managing Editor: Nataliya Semez Contributing Writers: Pat Garcia-Gonzalez Erin Schwartz, Nataliya Semez
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colors of hope
The Max Foundation invites you to read 15 stories of courage in the face of cancer.
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Please return this donation form, with your gift to: The Max Foundation, 110 W. Dayton, Suite 205, Edmonds, WA 98020 USA
e are pleased to announce our new book “Colors of Hope: Expressions from cancer survivors around the world” where we showcase the art of fifteen cancer survivors and the stories behind them. Each entry represents a family’s story of courage and triumph, and each family represents all other families who,
like them, rose to the occasion when faced with a devastating diagnosis. Inspired in 2005 by the painting of Sahimi, a CML patient in Malaysia, we launched our Patient Art Project with the goal of recognizing the talent of people living with cancer around the world and creating awareness of their
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Colors of hope
—continued from page 1 needs. The theme of the 2007 project was “Honoring Life Everyday”. Over 250 entries were submitted, most of them from Glivec donation recipients. This book’s name, “Colors of Hope” draws from Sahimi’s own painting’s title and serves as a tribute to our original artist. Many entries to the Patient Art Project were submitted by people lacking formal artistic training and or access to high quality materials. Nonetheless, the impact of having access to treatment, hand in hand with a strong support system was evident in the Art therapy session in deep meaning of the art pieces. progress (Thailand). Dark and light; family, religion and medicine; hope and gratitude beyond words, are common threads in the art. “All the joy in the world is yours if only you reach out for it with faith and trust….” Sahimi Othman Artist and CML survivor since 2003 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia “Each picture in this book tells a personal story... Through art, these patients reach out across the borders of the globe, connected with others who share their fate.” Barbara Hege Mercer, MFA, Artist Edmonds, Washington “These are the stories of fifteen families who were forever changed by the leadership of a company and the humanity of an organization. Their stories emphasize the importance of setting up channels for access to treatment and support for people battling cancer in all regions of the world.” Pat Garcia-Gonzalez Executive Director, The Max Foundation
You may request a copy of “Colors of Hope” with a minimum donation of $25.00 to The Max Foundation’s International Patient Helpline. To make a donation using your credit card, please visit www.themaxfoundation.org and click on “Contribute!” n
MOTORCYCLES 4 MAX
The Max Foundation is happy to welcome our new supporter, the Xtreme Lean Sport Riders (XLSR) Club, to Max’s Neighborhood. This year, on June 7th, XLSR Club organized and implemented a pledge ride and bike show, “Motorcycles 4 Max”, benefiting The Max Foundation at the annual “Tastin’ n Racin’” event, held at Lake Sammamish Park. This first year, XLSR raised over $1,000. The money raised will be used for our A young crowd really enjoyed the show, International Patient Helpline to help patients with especially since they could have their blood cancer and their families worldwide. Thank you pictures taken on any bike they liked. all for your support and participation! A special “Thank You!” goes out to the following supporters, who helped make this event a success: l Craig Cooke and Pacific Rim Talent, for providing a space for the XLSR bike show. l Skagen Boats for donating their “Tastin’ n Racin’” registration fee to support The Max Foundation. l Bob Farmer, The Max Foundation’s volunteer and Board member, for organizing a photo session and donating all proceeds to The Max Foundation. l Staff of The Max Foundation: Paula Lacy, Barbara Carpenter, Darlene Lee, Danielle Matia, Susana Sarabia, Craig Anderson, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, and Erin Schwartz for coming out to support The Max Foundation on the day of the event. Thank you all! Nataliya Semez Development Officer
Highlighting Global Rx
For three years, The Max Foundation has had a working partnership with the international specialty pharmacy, Global Rx (www.globalrx.com). Founded by pharmacist, Dr. Andrew Canada, Global Rx is a resource for patients worldwide. Global Rx has an extensive network of collaborating pharmacies enabling them to provide medications to patients in over 80 different countries. The Max Foundation was introduced to Global Rx when working together to help patients from Argentina access drug donations for a medication not yet available in the country. “Dr. Canada is a wealth of information,” says Erin Schwartz, Head of Patient Services, “he is the perfect person to call when you have questions about how to get medication from one part of the world to another.” A highly professional organization, Global Rx, brings both the experience and the personal attention needed to get medications strategically across borders. In addition to providing insightful information, Global Rx has given inkind donations to the patients we serve and included The Max Foundation as a beneficiary of their charitable contributions. We are grateful for our continuing partnership with Global Rx. n
Left to right: Executive Director of The Max Foundation Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Iraq War Veteran Tammy Duckworth, U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
The Golden Tennis Shoe Award
Each year Sen. Patty Murray presents the Golden Tennis Shoe Awards to honor individuals whose courage and dedication have strengthened their communities and the state of Washington. The name of the award comes from the Senator’s own story. In the early 1980s, when the preschool program at which she taught was threatened by budget cuts, Murray took action. Although a state legislator told her she couldn’t make a difference because she was “just a mom in tennis shoes,” Murray organized 13,000 parents and saved the preschool program. Murray went on to serve on both the local school board and then in the Washington State Senate. This year, Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Executive Director of The Max Foundation was chosen to receive the Golden Tennis Shoe Award. She is joining such stellar alumni as Christine Smith, founder of Northwest Hope and Healing supporting breast cancer patients and Matt Gray of Prosser, who raises funds to help the families of service members wounded in war. Community no longer stops at the border of your neighborhood. The Max Foundation, under Pat’s direction, has extended the community of those living with blood cancer and their caregivers on a worldwide level. The Max Foundation’s facilitated patient support groups and empowerment programs bring blood cancer survivors and their caregivers into a connected web of hope.
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A HOLIDAY WITH THE CLASSICS
On December 19th we invite you to celebrate the Spirit of the Holidays and the Joy of Giving at the annual benefit concert “A Holiday with the Classics”. A festive concert of holiday and classical music will be performed at Trinity Lutheran Church by outstanding classical musicians from around the Northwest. The concert is organized by The Max Foundation with support of Max’s Neighborhood Advisory Group member, Ute-Christiane Freund. Please visit our website www.maxsneighborhood.org for more details To become a sponsor of the event and give back to the community, please e-mail us at news@themaxfoundation.org.
2008 Certificate of Appreciation from Philippine General Hospital
The outstanding achievements and efforts of The Max Foundation in the Philippines were recognized by the Philippine General Hospital. At the award ceremony, hospital Director Carmelo Alfiler made mentions of The Max Foundation’s special efforts to help patients in need through facilitating drug donations to their pharmacy. The 2008 Certificate of Appreciation from the Philippine General Hospital was awarded to The Max Foundation and accepted by country representative, Nelia Medina. Our success in the Philippines is made possible through the collaborative work with partners, such as Global Rx and the local patient group, Touched by Max.n In the photo: (left to right) Executive Director of The Max Foundation Pat Garcia-Gonzalez, Philippines representative, Nelia Medina and Head of Patient Services of The Max Foundation, Erin Schwartz.
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Patients and their families participating in an art therapy session (Mexico).
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