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Cartagena now has a dedicated new headquarters for the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), offering expanded support for cancer patients across the city and Mar Menor areas. Located at the junction of Carlos III and Ángel Bruna streets, the 630-square-metre facility spreads over two floors and serves Health Areas II and VIII.

 

Opened on Wednesday January 14, the centre provides psychological support, social and legal advice, speech therapy, physiotherapy, and a specialised gym for oncology exercise programmes. Mayor Noelia Arroyo described it as "a welcoming, cheerful, and bright space, something that directly impacts the mood of patients and their families." She praised the public-private partnership, saying it "guarantees higher quality care" by reaching places public services alone cannot.

 

The facility forms part of the regional 'Activa Suma' programme, which has helped over 500 patients with therapeutic exercise since 2022. Regional president Fernando López Miras called AECC "an essential partner" of the public health system, noting it assisted 350 people in Cartagena last year and expects to support over 400 this year. "It often reaches where the government does not," he added.

 

Volunteers shared their enthusiasm during the inauguration. Long-time supporter María Eugenia Cánovas, who has volunteered for 17 years, said: "It's a fantastic place to work with all the patients who come and offer them nutrition talks, which they really want. But the area that moved me the most is the room they've created for patients to try on the wigs we have here, because it's a very important service for the self-esteem of many cancer patients." Fermín Nieto highlighted the gym space: "We'll have a very large space downstairs, which will be great for both training and rehabilitation exercises."

 

National AECC president Ramón Reyes stressed early detection, pointing to the Regional Cancer Plan and its screening programmes that save thousands of lives. Regional AECC head Eduardo González marked 60 years of the association in Cartagena, noting the centre's goals of reaching more people with "personalised care" in a "bright and welcoming building."

 

The event recognised volunteers like 93-year-old Federico, whose dedication exemplifies the strength of AECC's 69 regional branches.

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena