There were many doubts about how the people of Cáceres would respond to the call of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC). The forecast of rain and haze had sown doubts throughout the week, but finally about 3,000 people bought the number for the march for research and this morning a green tide crossed the main streets of Cáceres. It is a lower figure than in the previous call, in 2019, but the amount is satisfactory for the organization.
On skates, running, but fundamentally walking, a heterogeneous mosaic of people and ages have gathered around eleven in the morning in the Plaza Mayor, where the most lively participated in the Zumba dances and broke the ice. This march had not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic.
Nacho Lucero, manager of the AECC in Cáceres, explained that of the 3,000 numbers sold, the majority, 2,000, had been dispatched between Friday afternoon and yesterday, Saturday. “We had to start from scratch, things were a bit stagnant but in the end it has come alive.” The collection comes from the purchase of the numbers, which cost five euros and seven with shirts. With 5,000 participants, an amount of 20,000 euros is achieved, which was the limit that the AECC had set. As this figure has not been reached, 10,000 euros of the association’s own funds will be contributed.
Smoking and screening
In addition to the collection, this march has the double objective of calling both the administration and the people to take into account the importance of acting against cancer. Cáceres has several challenges to face, since, as Lucero points out, the number of colon cancer screenings that is done is lower than the rest of Spain. “People don’t go to appointments.”
Departure of the march from the Plaza Mayor de Cáceres at 11 in the morning. /
It also points out deficiencies in radiotherapy services. “In Plasencia right now the radiotherapy machine has broken down, this means that the most seriously ill patients have been transferred to Cáceres”, which means that some sick people from the north of Extremadura have to travel a good number of kilometers to receive their treatment . The incidence of smoking also has a negative effect on cancer data in Cáceres. “With tobacco you have to be aware and respect smoke-free areas.” Lucero pointed out the importance of being “caretakers of ourselves.”
Among the participants in the march was the young Johnatan Rebollo Sánchez. “I have a person in the family who has gone through the disease and it is necessary to continue investigating,” he pointed out. Beside him was Bienvenida Sánchez. “One feels very proud to participate in this, we have to do it and collaborate for what may happen to us, because it is very strong, we have to remedy it,” she explained, dressed in green and wanting to start a march that has filled the city with solidarity. city on this sunny Sunday.
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Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.