Mara, Philippines

Misdiagnosed for years, Mara was finally confirmed with the rare blood cancer Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF) in 2015. She courageously founded Myelofibrosis Philippines to connect patients.

After Mara succumbed in 2021, Isidora fiercely took up her vital legacy. Despite her own struggles (a senior with diabetes and a husband on dialysis), she leads the group of 180 members who are struggling to afford the life-delaying, yet costly, Ruxolitinib and other essential maintenance medicines.