Pat Garcia-Gonzalez is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Max Foundation, a global nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to cancer treatment and care in low- and middle-income countries, having delivered cancer medicines to patients in 80+ countries. For more than 25 years, she has been a leading advocate for health equity, working to ensure that people living with cancer – regardless of where they live – can access life-extending medicines, diagnostics, and supportive care. In 1997, she co-founded The Max Foundation in memory of her stepson, Maximiliano “Max” Rivarola, who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at age 14 and died at 17. His experience became the catalyst for a lifelong commitment to patient advocacy and global cancer access.
She currently serves as Chair of the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition Council, a UICC-sponsored global partnership advancing access to essential cancer medicines. She is also an advisor to the CML Advocates Network and the International CML Foundation, and has served on the board of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations. Garcia-Gonzalez’s contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the UICC CEO Award, the National Cancer Institute Global Cancer Medicine Humanitarian Award, the International CML Foundation ERSAP Prize, and the Global Washington Global Hero Award (2023).
The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 recognizes the changemakers in cancer care who have helped shape current practice in oncology and continue to drive innovation and research towards better outcomes, advocacy, philanthropy, leadership and education. For the many deserving individuals not mentioned in this list, we will continue to acknowledge, honor and elevate your voices in our daily publications from across the world.
See the full list of The 100 Influential People in Oncology in 2025 and stay tuned for the results of special category nominations to be announced.
