The Spanish Association Against Cancer of Las Palmas has inaugurated its new headquarters in Lanzarote, which will offer, from this moment on and completely free of charge, psychological and social care services for both patients and their families.
"5 months ago we inaugurated a new headquarters in Fuerteventura and with this one in Lanzarote, which will also serve users of La Graciosa, we complete our presence in the province of Las Palmas”, declared Fernando Fraile, president of the Provincial Board of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Las Palmas.
Located at number 26 on Manolo Millares street in Arrecife, it is a 140 square meter space that will house the association's new facilities to serve and provide services to cancer patients and families who need it in Lanzarote and La Graciosa.
The psychologist Alejandro Mederos and the social worker Davinia González will work permanently in the new offices. Both will be responsible for providing an immediate response to the needs of users who come to the headquarters. Regarding social care, emergency financial aid will be managed, food cards will be provided for those who need them, and job guidance will be given to those interested.
"It must be taken into account that, on many occasions, the disease is associated with a reduction in family income or even job loss. With this type of aid and support, the Spanish Association Against Cancer aims to alleviate the impact that cancer has on families, beyond that caused by the disease itself," they explain.
From the Lanzarote headquarters, the reception flat that the Association has in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will also be managed so that patients who need to travel to the provincial capital to receive treatment can stay in this flat at no cost. Similarly, an orthopedic material loan service will be provided, such as wheelchairs, articulated beds or crutches to patients who need it.
“We want all cancer patients and patients to find in our new office not only the affection they need, but also the professionalism of a team well prepared to meet all their demands,” said the head of the Association in Lanzarote, Lola Lasso.
The Association plans to increase the number of members on the island of Lanzarote, whose financial contribution "is vital for the maintenance of the Association's activity and services", to which 80% of the income is dedicated, while the other 20% is allocated to research through the aid program for oncological research projects.
It should be noted that these projects are carried out through the private entity Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer. In this sense, Fraile added that the opening of this new premises is a dream come true and has made a call to the population to get to know them."
For her part, the mayor of Arrecife, Astrid Pérez, added "the importance for the third capital of the Canary Islands of being able to have an office of the Spanish Association against Cancer that offers a new service of support and psychological and social help to cancer patients. In Arrecife they will have the collaboration of the City Council to improve the quality of life of our neighbors."
For her part, the Minister of Social Welfare of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Isabel Martín Tenorio, thanked the selfless work of the association, "whose social purpose is to help altruistically people who are going through this difficult situation."
The inauguration event was also attended by the director of the Lanzarote Health Area, Noelia Umpiérrez, the manager of the Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital, José Luis Aparicio, as well as the mayors and representatives of Teguise, Tías, San Bartolomé and Yaiza.
