The new headquarters, located in the El Yumbo Shopping Center, will bring comprehensive care services to cancer patients and their families in southern Gran Canaria.
The Spanish Association Against Cancer opened a new headquarters today in the south of Gran Canaria, in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, located on the 4th floor of the Yumbo Shopping Center, next to the municipal offices. This new location, provided by the municipal council, will expand care for cancer patients and their families in a key area of the island.
Until now, care was provided from an office in the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Municipal Offices, but with this new location, a step forward is being taken in improving access to the Association's services. This expansion responds to the growing need to reach more cancer patients with more personal and comprehensive care. The number of patients served has increased from 50 in 2024, and the goal is to double the number of patients by 2025.
In 2024, the Association served a total of 1.233 patients and family members in the province of Las Palmas. With the opening of this location, it hopes to significantly increase this number and offer more direct support to the population in the south of the island. In the southern region, the number of patients served has increased from 50 in 2024, and the goal is to double the number of patients by 2025.
The initial professional team consists of Teresa Reyes, psychologist; Paola Sancho, social worker; and Néstor Santana, health promoter. In the initial phase, physiotherapy and nutrition services will continue to be provided at the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria location, with the intention of expanding them to the south in the near future.
Since March, "Healthy Routes" have also been implemented in this area as part of preventive measures and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits.
The opening ceremony was attended by Marco Aurelio Pérez, Mayor of San Bartolomé de Tirajana; Alejandro Marichal, Second Deputy Mayor and Councilor for Urban Planning and Tourism; Dimas de la Cruz, Councilor for Social Services, Social Action, and the Elderly; Rita Tristancho Ajamil, General Director of Patients and Chronic Conditions; and Fernando Fraile, President of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Las Palmas.
During the act, Fernando Fraile He thanked Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez, as well as Alejandro Marichal and Dimas de la Cruz, for providing the new offices in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. "This headquarters represents a great opportunity to reach more people in the south of the island."
Rita Tristancho Ajamil He emphasized the importance of health promotion and prevention; these are fundamental issues, and early diagnosis is the foundation for fighting cancer. He highlighted early detection programs as an essential part of prevention, and once the disease is detected, we must work to ensure survival. He also highlighted "the important work the Association does throughout the province."
For its part, Alejandro Marichal He thanked the Association and Fernando Fraile "for investing in the south of the island." "This is a great step toward providing better service to patients and their families. The opening of this headquarters is an important milestone, and I want to especially highlight the work done by both the professionals and the volunteers, who are the foundation of this project."
Mayor, Marco Aurelio PérezHe congratulated the Association for "this new stage that begins in the municipality with the collaboration of the City Council." "Thank you to the entire team at the Spanish Association Against Cancer of Las Palmas for making it possible for this resource to reach those who need it most in our municipality," he said.
Miguel Mestre, a retired oncologist, has assumed the position of president of the Southern Gran Canaria Island Council. With his extensive professional experience in hospitals in the south of the island, he will be responsible for representing the Association in this area, working to generate new strategic alliances.
The new headquarters will also allow for increased collaboration with the municipality of Mogán. Along these lines, the "Contra el Humo, Mójate" (Get Wet Against Smoke) campaign will be held in Arguineguín on June 6th, commemorating World No Tobacco Day. The activity, aimed at schoolchildren, aims to raise awareness about the effects of tobacco and electronic devices such as vapes on young people's health.
Cancer Data in the Canary Islands
In 2024, 6.431 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in Las Palmas, the most prevalent being colon and rectal, breast, and prostate cancers, according to the Cancer Observatory. Estimates for 2030 raise this figure to 7.431 new diagnoses.
With the "Everyone Against Cancer" initiative, the Spanish Cancer Association aims to improve the survival and quality of life of people living with this disease. The major challenge is to achieve a 70% survival rate by 2030, a goal that requires the involvement of all of society: citizens, public and private entities, healthcare workers, scientists, associations, the media, and community leaders.
The inauguration was attended by nearly 50 people, including local authorities, healthcare professionals, and Association volunteers, who demonstrated their commitment and support for this new step in cancer care in southern Gran Canaria.
