Viji Venkatesh brings with her 34 years of professional experience in cancer patient care and support in her role as Regional Head, India and South Asia at The Max foundation. In addition to GIPAP, she has a key role in the management of the local Novartis Oncology Access Program (NOA). During the last 15 years alongside these access programs, she has developed the Friend of Max (FOM) patient support group, now has fifteen local chapters throughout India with over 250 crore group volunteer leaders representing more than 18000 members. Viji was also instrumental in setting up the Preventive Oncology Department at Tata Memorial Hospital in 1991 and has contributed to the renowned institute as an active member of its Ethics Committee. She is a trustee of Being Human – The Salman Khan Foundation as well as the Friends of Max Charitable Trust. In 2009, Viji was awarded the Scroll of Honor for her outstanding contribution in the field of Social Service from the Health Minister of Bihar at the World Cancer Day Celebration in Patna.
