MABS – Always there for you!
MABS Cancer Support Fundacion is available to anyone who needs help as a result of cancer, whether diagnosed themselves or affected by a spouse or partner having cancer.
How can MABS help? Well they can provide a driver to take you for treatment, which can be daily for a 6-week duration. They can loan mobility and medical equipment such as wheelchairs, hospital beds, ripple mattresses, walking frames and hoists to name a few. Provide assistance at home to help with ironing, washing, shopping or a qualified nurse if and when necessary. They also have two hospice/palliative rooms – paying over €40,000 a year retention to keep them available for MABS patients if and when necessary, counsellors, a therapist and information leaflets on all types of cancer.
These services are provided FREE of charge for those unable to pay – although a donation is always gratefully appreciated. How can MABS do this – purely thanks to the continued support of volunteers and donations at the charity shops they have up and down the coast – and generous business sponsors. Were it not for the army of volunteers, who give up a few hours a week to work at one of the MABS shops on the Costa Blanca or those kind enough to donate items to sell in them, it would not be possible!
MABS was born 20 years ago when five ladies with breast cancer found there was no support during or after treatment – one of which is the current president Jacqui Phillips MBE. She was recognised for her services to charity in the 2005 New Year Honours List, collecting her award from HRH Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in April of that year. Initially set up for breast cancer, they quickly realised that there was a need and demand to assist people with ALL types of cancer and are often referred patients by doctors and hospitals. In 2017 they became a ‘Fundación’ which recognises that they have become a highly important cancer support organisation here in Spain, with a registered office in Javea.
Cancer, in all its forms is estimated to affect someone every minute of every day. If you are living here in Spain and diagnosed with cancer, away from a family support network then this is when MABS can and does step in. Please help us to continue with this invaluable work, supporting and assisting at that critical time, for who knows, maybe one day you will be that person.
Pop into any of the MABS shops – located in Oliva, La Xara, Javea, Mutxamel or Torrevieja and talk to the manager about volunteering. MABS also put on a number of fundraising events throughout the year such as the upcoming charity Golf Tournament at Villaitana on January 26, sponsored Walk for Life and charity balls. Additionally, many small businesses also put on their own independent fundraising events, such as coffee mornings, raffles and quiz nights, for which MABS are eternally grateful.
For more information or to make a donation visit the website www.mabscancerfoundation.com or call the helpline on 634 374 754 or 634 311 690. They also have Spanish, German and Dutch speakers available.
MABS Cancer Support will shortly be opening a brand new shop in Alfaz del Pi and would like to invite prospective volunteers to a coffee morning on Wednesday, January 22 at 11am at the new premises – located between Don Dino toy shop and Bankia, on the main High Street.