Following the appointment last October of María del Carmen Gómez as the new president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Mijas, this branch, which offers free and comprehensive support to patients and their families, has as its main objective to find premises in the town to continue offering its services to patients and their families and to bring prevention programmes to the entire population.

According to volunteer Salvador Gallardo, the association is based on three pillars: support, prevention and research. "One of the most important things is support. You go to the doctor and the doctor tells you, 'You have cancer', so what do you do? You can contact us and we will help you. This is the most important thing". In terms of prevention, Gallardo highlighted the activities they carry out in this area, including courses on how to quit smoking, because, he said, "quitting smoking can save lives". Research, he noted, also plays a fundamental role, enabling progress in the prevention, detection and treatment of the disease.

The best way to bring these pillars closer and, above all, to offer their services and care, is by being close to those who need it most. That is why the association is actively looking for premises and calls on those who can do their bit to help.

"So far we have been very lucky, the Town Hall is supporting us, but the biggest and most important thing is that the business people in La Cala are supporting us. Now we are working to have a headquarters in La Cala, so if anyone is watching us and knows of a suitable place in La Cala or nearby that could be considered as a headquarters, please contact us because this is the most important thing", said Gallardo.

In addition to a headquarters, the Mijas delegation is also looking for volunteers. Its president, Mari Carmen Gomez, stressed that although funds are essential, "the work of volunteers is vital" and emphasised that "everyone is welcome, no matter what language they speak". She invited those who want to do their bit to sign up as volunteers at Voluntariado Contra el Cáncer Mijas. 

For his part, in relation to the large foreign population residing in the municipality, Gallardo highlighted their solidarity and the importance of "all of us getting together, we need to make one big family in order to be successful against this disease".

The association also encourages foreigners to contact them if they need their help or services. As Mari Carmen said, "for us the most important thing is people, we need to help and for that, we provide information in English and we try to provide it in German, French...".

In a municipality such as Mijas, the association seeks foreign volunteers to help offer support and services to those who need it but face language barriers.

"We are open, our main concern is to listen to people, so please, if you need any support, contact us and we will help you", concluded Gallardo.

Contact information:

Telephone: 900 100 036 (24 hours) and 952 256 195 (local)

Email: malaga@aecc.es

Premises: They are currently located at Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, 136, Fuengirola.

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