Friday, April 29, 2011

2nd Patient Congress for People Living with CML, 28 Apr 2011 - another successful meeting!

Well, I am writing this report from this lovely city called Kuching, East Malaysia; which is about 2 hours traveling time by flight from Kuala Lumpur.

For the 2nd year, Patient Congress for People Living with CML was successfully took place in conjunction with Malaysia Society of Haematology Scientific Meeting. It took place yesterday, 28th April 2011, at Pullman Hotel, Kuching, Malaysia.



Yes, we did it again!

The congress was organized by The Max Foundation and Max Family Society Malaysia, made possible by the support from medical professional organization - Malaysian Society of Haematology; as well as industries – Novartis as the main sponsor, and AirAsia who donated a few seats for enable patients to fly in.

Patients and caregivers arrived as early as 830 am, full with enthusiasm.










Opening remarks by Dr LP Chew, representing Malaysian Society of Haematology.

Dr Chew is practicing in Hospital Kuching, and she was particularly excited as the patient congress was the first of its kind in East Malaysia.



After the sweet and short opening remarks, ice breaking and motivation session was facilitated by En Baba Ismail, registered counselor.

His interactive way of conducting the session successfully made the participants engaged, and took part in the ice breaking activity. This was the magic moment when we saw everyone turned into “one Max Family”. From the shy, quiet crowd, the room turned into a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Everyone opened up themselves and give out themselves 100% to this “newly formed family”.









Before we continue with the highlight of the session – CML Education Session, a nice lunch was served.



It followed by disease education session which started with an information, yet easy-to-follow overview lecture by Dr Haris Rahman.




It was then followed by small group discussion facilitate by haematologists and pharmacist – Dr Haris, Dr LG Lau, Dr LP Chew, Dr KM Chang and Selina Wee. The Malay-speaking and Mandarin-speaking groups arrangement has successfully overcome the challenges of delivering information in Malaysia as we Malaysian are speaking different languages due to the different races.

One after another question was asked, real experiences were shared among participants; and our haematologists and pharmacist were never failed to share their expert knowledge with the groups. If we never stopped the group, the session would continue to go on and on. We spent the good one hour and 15 minutes for this fruitful session.







In Max Family, we never forget to thank the professional teams whom have contributed their time and energy to help patients to live better in all the possible ways.

Thank you to our speakers!






Before we ended the 2nd Patient Congress for People Living with CML, a group photo is the must-do!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Counting Down: 2nd Patient Congress for People Living with CML, in conjunction with 9th Malaysia National Haematology Scientific Meeting



Remember the Inaugural Patient Congress which were taking place last year in Kuala Lumpur? You missed it last year? Well, here is the little report that you are able to “go back and be part of it

In 2 days time from now, on 28 April 2011, we will be at the 2nd Patient Congress for People Living with CML; this time, it will be held in Kuching, East Malaysia. The congress is part of the Malaysia National Haematology Scientific Meeting.


With the support from Malaysian Society of Haematology, The Max Foundation and Max Family Society Malaysia is putting up the congress again this year. We are not forgetting Novartis Malaysia, the sponsor who has been very supportive in our patient initiatives. This year, AirAsia is also extending their support by donating a few flight seats to enable patients who are having financial challenges to be part of the congress.

We are expecting 65 participants in the patient congress, majority are patients and caregivers from East Malaysia – Sarawak and Sabah. This is the first time of its kind that a patient meeting in larger scale in the town. Speakers consist of counselor, haematologists, pharmacists who are very much involved in the care of CML in Malaysia.



The 9th Malaysia National Haematology Scientific Meeting, 29 April – 1 May 2011


Thanks to the generosity and great support of Malaysian Society of Haematology, The Max Foundation is given a booth during the scientific meeting. This is the 2nd year we were invited to be part of the meeting.




We plan to bring our brilliant sparrow along, creating a platform for everyone – the healthcare professional, industries who will be involved in the exhibition, to give support to cancer survivors through tribute wall, as well as sign the world cancer declaration. It is the time for everyone to realize that each voice counts!


The team in The Max Foundation Malaysia office and Max Family core group is well-prepared for the 4 days in Kuching!



Maximize Life every day! See you in Kuching!