CANCER CARE FOUNDATION
The cancer care foundation ended 2008 with a deficit of 300,000 euros
27.01.09 - 19:18 -
The centre in Benalmádena.
“We need more benefactors. It doesn’t matter how big or small the donation is; any amount will help us to continue caring for patients in 2009 and in the future”. The Cudeca Cancer Care Foundation has not given up its campaign to raise enough funds to keep its in-patients unit for terminal cancer sufferers up and running. Since it opened in 2005 the unit at the Benalmádena hospice has provided invaluable care for 500 patients, although this has meant increasing annual expenses to two million euros.
Alarm bells rang a year ago when Cudeca announced a deficit in 2007 of 600,000 euros and warned that the future of the in-patients unit was in danger. Support from the general public has improved the balance for 2008: although the figures are still in the red, the deficit has been cut by half to 300,000 euros thanks to donations and funds raised in the numerous events organised by and for Cudeca.
“This has been an enormous and encouraging achievement but the struggle to stay open continues, and it won’t be easy”, say Cudeca representatives, who have also expressed their thanks “to all those who have helped in our fight to survive”.
The foundation, which has helped some 5,000 families since it was started by Joan Hunt in 1992, has invited the general public to join in the many fund-raising events organised around the province of Malaga.
These range from small events such as a Clairvoyance Evening to be held on Thursday 5th February 2009 in the Day Care Centre training room of the Hospice, to the traditional Walkathon along the Benalmádena promenade held every year in May.
The in-patients unit has a capacity for 15 people who receive palliative care from Cudeca’s team of specialists. Patients come from all over the province of Malaga to the unit when their situation becomes difficult to cope with at home. The care in the unit is free of charge as are the rest of the services provided by Cudeca, which include home visits, physiotherapy and psychological attention and support both for patients and family.
