Friends of Max (FOM) is an India based support group for CML (Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia) and GIST (Gastro Intestinal Stromal Tumour) patients on lifelong therapy. It is registered as a Charitable Trust by 'The Charities Commissioner’s office' in Mumbai. ‘Friends of Max’ has 20 City Chapters spread across the country.
Where we intervene-
We arrange regular face-to-face meetings for patients with their treating physicians who are amongst the best oncologists and haematologists in the country.
We train volunteers to help fellow patients live a positive and productive life.
We organise events to spread awareness about the disease and the importance of compliance
We aid and facilitate access to monitoring tests for financially challenged patients.
We are an apolitical organisation and we aspire to support all forms of government – Central or State or Local / Municipal authorities and other institutions in their efforts to reach and help cancer patients in terms of creation of awareness, education and other forms of assistance. To that extent we aspire to influence policy matters in Patient Advocacy

Appeal

FOM requests your financial assistance for its Project Shiksha , an ambitious initiative which aims to provide financial aid to cover the education costs of pediatric cancer patients who are on lifelong medication. The overall goal of the project is to ensure that the disease does not come in the way of their accessing educational opportunities, they remain compliant to their treatment protocols, thus helping to reduce the financial burden and psychological stress on the families of cancer patients from weaker socio-economic backgrounds.
While the Indian Constitution guarantees every child between ages 6-14 years the right to free and compulsory education, there are several hurdles that come in the way of ensuring that pediatric cancer patients or children of cancer patients have access to educational opportunities. Many a time family of such patients from weaker socio-economic backgrounds who are under serious financial strain, are forced to make a choice between their children's (and immediate family members) education and the life of a family member.
Through Project Shiksha, FOM is taking a step towards ensuring that such patients do not have to make the difficult choice between seeking education for themselves or a family member and continuing their treatment. Through the initiative FOM provides support for primary, secondary and tertiary education / vocational training of such children and youngsters, thus achieving the dual goals of ensuring compliance amongst the patients and ensuring that they have an opportunity towards a brighter future.