In the last official engagement before celebrating Christmas, Queen Letizia of Spain attended a working meeting of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (in SpanishAsociación Española Contra el Cáncer or AECC), of which she is the Honorary President.
Her Majesty, who attends numerous meetings with the organisation per year, took part in and chaired the meeting at the headquarters of the AECC on Thursday, 21 December. The organisation has been working to defeat cancer for over 60 years. The contents of the 2017-2020 Strategic Plan, as well as the events and results that took place through 2017, were discussed. The projects that are planned for 2018 were also a point of discussion.
Queen Letizia pictured with the President of the AECC and its Scientific Foundation, Ignacio Muñoz Pidal. © Casa de S.M. el Rey
Queen Letizia was accompanied by the President of the AECC and its Scientific Foundation, Ignacio Muñoz Pidal and other members of the permanent commission.
According to Casa Real, “The AECC is the first entity whose honorary presidency was assumed by Her Majesty the Queen on a permanent basis, and in which she actively participates in the work of the association, recognising the important work it has been doing for more than 60 years in the fight against cancer, during which she has led the effort of Spanish society to reduce the impact caused by this disease and improve the lives of people.”
Her Majesty arrives for the meeting. © Casa de S.M. el Rey
The AECC was created in 1953 “with the purpose of fighting against cancer in all known modalities.” It has 52 Provincial Boards and over 2,000 Spanish locations. Additionally, the AECC has more than 16,000 volunteers and 680 employees.
Quality oncological research is one of their primary and prioritised objectives. The Scientific Foundation was initiated in 1971 for this purpose and finances scientific and social research programmes through public competition which are aimed at “achieving advances in science to improve the future of sick people and their families and to consolidate a scientific structure in Spain, bringing the achievements made to the whole society.”
