The headquarters of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Fuengirola has been completely renovated, a project financed by the Malaga Provincial Council, which has invested 180,000 euros, a sum that is part of the almost 4 million euros that the supra-municipal entity allocated in 2022 for the refurbishment of headquarters. The completely refurbished facilities, which also serve Mijas, were inaugurated on Wednesday. 

The president of the Provincial Council, Francisco Salado, said during the inauguration: "What better way to start the year than by opening this centre, which will be at the service of people who are going through a very difficult time in their lives and need our support and that we provide them with the best services to get through this time, not only for those who have the disease but also for the families who also go through very difficult times" and stressed that "it is the best public money that we can currently invest from the Provincial Council". 

Renovated headquarters

The premises have a surface area of 150 m2, distributed into a multi-purpose room, a staff room, a meeting room, offices and a storeroom. Among the work carried out, the renovation of the façade, interiors, floors, ceilings, conditioning of the building with thermal and acoustic insulation and replacement of the electrical and plumbing installations stand out. In addition, the sanitary fittings, doors and windows have been replaced and a local air conditioning system has been installed. The building has also been made more accessible with the construction of an access ramp and has been equipped with a surveillance and security system. "It is a real privilege to be able to offer a renovated and modernised space that will serve as a refuge full of hope, care and unconditional support", declared the president of the AECC Málaga, Joaquín Morales. 

For his part, the president of the association in Fuengirola, Lázaro Díaz, stated that "this space is reborn with a clear mission and commitment, to join forces to fight cancer. Here, all those affected will continue to be welcomed with open arms, finding support for the challenges that this disease presents". 

Both Morales and Díaz were grateful for the investment made by the Diputación and acknowledged the work of the outgoing board of directors of the AECC Fuengirola, headed by Paula Casas. 

From the Andalusian Government, the delegate for Social Inclusion, Ruth Sarabia, also valued this improvement in the building and the work carried out by the AECC and its volunteers: "The work that the NGOs do, going beyond and reaching out to specific people, this encouragement and support would be impossible on the part of the administrations, and yet here you are, these volunteers are the fabric, the matrix of the AECC".

Patients and volunteers

Cristina Romero, patient and volunteer of the association, thanked the AECC for the support she has received during her illness. "Even if you are not prepared, having people like this is really priceless and you can't pay for it with money".  It is worth remembering that all the services offered by the AECC are completely free of charge for patients and their families. 

The event was also attended by the second deputy mayor of Mijas, Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP), and the councillor of the government team, Marco Cortés (PP), as well as the president of the AECC of Mijas, Lola Sanchís. Both Maldonado and Sanchís have highlighted the work carried out by the association, which has been caring for many years for patients and relatives of cancer patients in our municipality, around 400 people.  

"They are very commendable facilities, which provide a great service to society, to different municipalities, including Mijas, and we are here accompanying them from the Town Hall and strengthening ties with the Provincial Council, which has provided funds for this renovation", said Maldonado, who pointed out that "it is another example of what the associative fabric of our community means and, above all, the important work they do". 

In the same way, Sanchís affirmed that "it was a reform that was needed, because the headquarters had become a little obsolete for the services we were providing and the reform is going to be great and this will benefit all our patients and families". 

The president of AECC Mijas said that they are currently talking with the Town Hall about having their own headquarters to be able to attend to the people of Mijas. "There are Mijeños who go to the physio and others who go to psychologists, it is a high number (of patients and families), enough for us to have our own services". 

Balance in 2023

In 2023 the Fuengirola branch attended to more than 500 cancer patients and offered 1,224 free sessions in different services.

Free sessions in different services. 

In psychological care there were 237 patients with a total of 634 sessions and in social care, 351 patients with 634 sessions. The physiotherapy service also stands out, which was used by 80 patients with 525 sessions. All the services offered by the AECC are free of charge for patients and their families, so all support and donations are welcome in order to pay for these.

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