Leading a normal life seven years after diagnosis

“Whenever you hear the word ‘cancer,’ that is always scary – the fear that you won’t be able to live long,” Neel recalls thinking after his diagnosis with CML. “That was the reaction of all my family members. We looked on the Internet for more information about CML treatment, and it was not encouraging. I could see that my life would be ending.”

That outlook completely changed when Neel joined the first group of patients in India that began treatment with Glivec in April 2002. “I was excited about this new medication, but I knew it was not affordable to me,” he says. “Then I heard about the Max Foundation.” Within a few months of free treatment with Glivec through GIPAP, Neel’s CML went into remission. “I can say that I’m leading a normal life,” he says. “For me, it’s not a life-threatening disease anymore.” Neel and his wife consider themselves and their two children to be a normal Indian family enjoying spending time together.

“If companies spend billions of rupees on research, and anyone can use their formulas, then why should they bother?” Neel asks. “They are spending a lot of time and money. But if this stops, then there won’t be any new treatment for life-threatening diseases, or new diseases.”

Read the full story
(25KB)