Under the slogan 'Everyone against cancer', and because it is clear that unity is strength, the first Charity Gala Dinner of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), organised for the first time jointly by the four branches of Mijas, Fuengirola, Benalmádena and Torremolinos, managed to bring together 320 people. "We are very happy with the reception because this is a historic milestone, it is the first time in more than 20 years that a joint dinner is held between the four branches. As the slogan of our campaign 'Todos juntos contra el cáncer' (All together against cancer) says, what could be better than to bring together the four branches and hold a charity gala in commemoration of World Cancer Day, celebrated on Sunday 4th", said the president of the AECC Mijas, Lola Sanchís. 

"We are excited because for the first time four municipalities come together to give way to this event as emotional and important as the Spanish Association Against Cancer. In some way we are all touched by this disease and this contribution and involvement is truly a wonderful act", said the director of the Hotel Higuerón Resort, Mónica Sánchez, where the gala dinner took place. 

The institutions responded to the call of the AECC and among those attending the gala were the four town councils. On behalf of Mijas, councillor for Social Insertion, Melisa Ceballos (PP), councillor Mario Bravo (PP) and councillor Juan Carlos Cuevas (Vox) attended. There were also representatives from the Provincial Council of Málaga and the Junta de Andalucía, as well as well-known faces from the media scene, such as  comedian and presenter Manolo Sarriá. 

"It is the first joint dinner between the four headquarters and we hope it will be the first of many here at the Higuerón. The truth is that it has had a wonderful reception and here we are all united for the same cause. Cancer does not understand nationalities or colours or anything else and it is something that unfortunately is present in all or most families", said Ceballos.  

"We know what people suffer with this disease. All the support that the AECC receives is little, because we should give more institutional support. I am paying today, as it should be. But we have 160 drugs approved by the EU against breast cancer, especially, but we only have about 85 approved here in Spain, why, that's the big question", Cuevas said.

For research

Regarding the aim of the solidarity gala, "in the end we are all working here for the same thing. Regardless of where each one is based, our objective is the same, to help patients and their families and to fight for the continuation of research into cancer", Sanchís recalled. She added that "everything that comes out of this gala, all the profits, go to cancer research, because the numbers of people affected are important and say it all and, for this reason, we must continue with research".

The gala was held with the aim of raising funds for cancer research and to maintain the programmes and services that the association provides free of charge to patients in Fuengirola, Mijas, Benalmádena and Torremolinos. The organisation assured that with the celebration of this gala, a new stage of collaboration between the different centres has begun with the aim of optimising resources and seeking funds that will then be invested in prevention campaigns, workshops and new free support services for patients and their families. 

About the disease

It is estimated that in the world, 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will have cancer in their lifetime and that by 2030 there will be 21.6 million cases, of which more than 330,000 will be in Spain. Currently, one person in Spain is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. Faced with this situation, this year the AECC launched its 'Everyone against cancer' campaign, a social initiative that aims to achieve an average survival rate of 70% by 2030 and thus reduce the inequalities caused by the disease. For this reason, it is crucial to continue to carry out public awareness campaigns and events that contribute to learning more about cancer in order to weave a network of solidarity to help patients.

The gala

One of the attractions of the charity gala was the menu designed by Diego Gallegos, Michelin Star chef at Sollo Restaurante and Vanesa Blondel, executive chef at Higuerón Hotel. Another great moment of the evening was provided by the jewellery designer María Ángeles Leiva, who donated a one carat diamond choker which was raffled among those attending the dinner. In view of the success, Javier Rodríguez, General Manager of Higuerón Resort, assured that they will continue to collaborate with the AECC and that next year there will be a second edition of this gala dinner.

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