‘When you stop, we move against cancer’ is the slogan under which the Spanish Association Against Cancer celebrated this year’s Fundraising Day, which was marked on Thursday, the 7th of May. Stopping to drop a few coins into the collection boxes to fight this disease is a small gesture that makes a huge difference. In Mijas, this date coincided with the first official event organised by the local branch: a charity lunch at El Torreón restaurant in La Cala.

Members and volunteers of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Mijas, residents, partner organisations and representatives of the local government team gathered at this restaurant, situated between El Torreón and the sea, to support the association and one of its key objectives: to mobilise society to promote research and a more humane approach to cancer care. “I feel so supported; the restaurant is full. It’s a very special day for the association; we want to mobilise the whole of society to continue with research and humanise the entire process and services surrounding a person suffering from cancer”, said the president, Carmen Gómez, who emphasised that “Mijas is a very supportive community and I have no doubt that the residents will support us, because they always have”.

 

“Carmen is doing very important work, with the volunteers who support her”, emphasised the mayoress of Mijas, Ana Mata (PP), who attended the lunch alongside councillors Mario Bravo (PP), Mari Francis Alarcón (PP) and Juan Carlos Maldonado (PMP). “The AECC is the association that supports people and gives them hope so that anyone facing a cancer diagnosis can pull through; it also makes a great effort to raise funds for research, so that we can detect the disease earlier and earlier", explained Mata. “I would like to thank Carmen for her work and a company with a soul, El Torreón Restaurant, which welcomes and throws itself into this kind of initiative to help people who need our support”.

Great turnout

Over a hundred people took part in the lunch to do their bit; the proceeds from the cover charge go almost entirely to the association. “It is a joy and a source of pride for us to be able to hold this event here”, said Mario Gallardo, manager of El Torreón. Diners enjoyed an exquisite menu consisting of sardines, salad, fried seafood and the restaurant’s tasty rice dishes, as well as dessert.

María Jesús Carmona couldn’t miss the occasion; this resident of La Cala has beaten cancer twice, the latest recently. “On Tuesday I had my final check-up and they told me I’m cancer-free; I don’t have to go back for another six months. So this is the perfect occasion to celebrate with my mother, my family and others who, like me, have had to fight this tough disease”, said Carmona, who volunteers with the charity and is grateful for the support it has given her throughout her journey. María Teresa Vergara did not hesitate to help out on her day off: “I work here, at El Torreón, and when Carmen took on this challenge, we supported her because we believe there couldn’t be a better woman to lead the association. We’ve also come to help out”, said María Teresa, who attended the lunch accompanied by many of her family and friends.

Over 50 years of fighting

The AECC has been promoting cancer research in Spain for over 50 years, supporting patients and their families affected by the disease 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2025, it supported over 170,000 people in Spain.

“From the Mijas Town Hall, we want to support the work carried out by this association, not only in raising public awareness of the fight against cancer, but also in raising funds to continue researching and seeking solutions”, stated PP councillor Mario Bravo, because “it is not just about finding a medical solution, but also about personal and moral support and companionship; and this association upholds that philosophy”, he added. For his part, councillor Juan Carlos Maldonado added that “anything that helps with research, prevention and alleviating the disease is welcome, and society’s contribution is essential”.

Research, support and prevention

According to the AECC, “cancer remains, globally, the most significant socio-health problem in the world, as 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will suffer from it during their lifetime”. In the face of the disease, the association stresses, “research, support and prevention are vital, as promoting healthy lifestyles can help prevent up to 40% of cases”.

Through simple gestures such as donating or taking part in events, solidarity sets in motion a collective movement capable of driving research, improving care and generating hope, helping the AECC achieve one of its goals: to increase the survival rate to 70% by 2030.

Share it with this link: https://mijasint.com/?a=38051