Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 4th Feb. (Europa Press) –
The chair of the Canary Islands Parliament, Astrid Pérez, toured one of the locations operated by the Spanish Association Against Cancer on the islands on ‘World Cancer Day’ this Tuesday.
“The contributions they have made for over seventy years in this organisation are immensely significant, providing guidance, information, and support to patients from the outset of their journey. They offer numerous resources which mitigate the impact of cancer’s emergence on our lives and those of our loved ones,” she remarked during her visit to the new facility of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Tenerife.
Pérez was welcomed by Andrés Orozco, the provincial president of the Association, Ana Prado, the Manager, and José Manuel Pérez, a volunteer and member of the Provincial Executive Committee.
Comprising patients, family members, volunteers, and oncology professionals, the Spanish Association Against Cancer is celebrating its 72nd anniversary this year.
In the Canary Islands, the organisation currently offers psychological support services to cancer patients and their families, alongside providing social workers, medical supplies, physiotherapy, and volunteers in hospitals and homes (home care), among other activities, as stated in a note from Parliament.
“There can be no social awareness without visibility, and as public institutions, we are compelled to promote and amplify the work of organisations like this, which undertake essential tasks,” emphasised Astrid Pérez.
This national organisation has established an agreement with the Canary Health Service (SCS) to facilitate the involvement of its volunteers in the islands’ hospitals, ensuring they are present for patients during critical moments of their treatment.
“No one is immune to cancer knocking at their door. We need to strive for greater collaboration among associations like this and foster mutual awareness,” stated provincial president, Andrés Orozco, underscoring that “today is a significant day, but every day of the year also holds importance.”
Consequently, he asserted, “we must advocate for disease prevention from all entities.”
This visit, along with the illumination of the Parliament facade last Friday, marks the beginning of a series of initiatives planned for this February to raise awareness and provide a voice to the realities surrounding cancer in the archipelago.
