‘Vital’ cancer support for expats in Mallorca continues to grow  – CSN News

Anita Vince is a 53 year old English woman living in Mallorca for the past two decades. The third annual WALK Against Cancer Mallorca will be led by Anita Vince.

Anita is an active member of the Cancer Support Group Mallorca, a group that raises funds to support cancer research.

Founded in 2011 by Krista Hyer – who sadly passed away in 2022 – CSG provides vital support to cancer patients and those affected by it. 

Anita was diagnosed in 2014 with breast cancer and reached out to the charity.

Krista encouraged Anita while she was being treated by the association to get involved with the work of its committee.

A decade later, Anita is at the forefront of an initiative called ‘Walk Against Cancer Mallorca’, which is entering its third year.

The fundraiser was conceived over a decade ago.

Anita has been on the GR221 hike since 2014 with friends and other volunteers. The trail stretches 150 kilometres between Port d’Andratx and Pollenca.

This annual fundraising event inspired the larger Walk Against Cancer Mallorca. 

Anita had a difficult time involving her family and friends in the GR221 trek before it was formed. This was due to logistical issues, like booking accommodation in advance and not being able assure them that they would be able to join.

Anita says, “We’ve been asking the same people for donations all along”, which puts the volunteers in a difficult situation.

She expanded the initiative to include a larger group of people affected by cancer.

Walk Against Cancer occurs throughout the entire month of April.

The launch date for this year is March 29. Participants will sign up and set fitness goals for the next month. They may receive donations in return for their efforts. 

There is also a sign up fee of €10 per person which will support funds. 

Anita, five other women, and CSG will walk together at the same time. Friends, family and CSG will also join them in certain places. 

Anita confirmed they would be taking on the more difficult GR222 route this year.

This year, she says that the route has fewer shelters than the GR221, so they’ll need bigger backpacks. 

On May 3, the Walk Against Cancer will conclude with a large party including a fundraising raffle. 

Anita says that ever since her decision to commit to CSG work she has ‘never been able to stop’, and after the death of Krista, the 53-year-old has viewed Walk Against Cancer as a way of ‘carrying on her work’. 

Anita thinks that this edition will be a watershed, because of the larger network of participants as opposed to just focusing on her close friends. 

She highlights the importance of money raised for the charity and that ‘you cannot do all these things for people without money behind you’; Walk Against Cancer raised €16,000 last year.

While funds are paramount, Anita wants to make sure ‘people are aware of the services’ and to highlight the English support on the island. 

Anita, when asked about CSG’s focus for English-speaking people, said that the organization’s service is not exclusive to English people. Anyone can reach out to the association.

CSG’s focus was on foreigners because of an existing network of Spanish cancer charities. The foreign community from Spain might have been intimidated and lacked the confidence to reach and communicate with them due to the language and culture barrier.

Anita pointed out that if you cannot understand what others are saying to, this can lead to a more difficult situation. 

Anita has decided to concentrate her efforts on fitness, while Krista initially concentrated on health.

Campaigners believe that exercise leads to a healthier, happier life, as well as better mental health. 

Anita also highlights the ‘whole camaraderie’ of her walk and the importance of ‘getting friends together’ in the face of a challenge such as cancer.

The money raised will be used to provide resources, such as translations and transport to hospitals. Volunteers will also visit homes and offer practical assistance. Counseling and wellbeing services are also available.

CSG is committed to supporting 64 patients who actively participate in its services by 2024. 

The association also supports male patients, despite the fact that many of its members are women. 

CSG, in collaboration with The Gap Counselling (another organisation), has increased awareness of men’s sexual health.

Anita says that “men can often bury their heads in sand” when receiving a cancer diagnoses.

She suggests that people can ignore the problem, despite its seriousness, which could prove fatal.

Anita says that dealing with cancer is ‘all about prevention’ and stopping it before it spreads, so increasing awareness is key.

The campaigner also believes that Spanish medical care is more effective than the NHS, pointing out the ‘horror stories’ that she has heard about waiting lists to use the UK’s public service.