HISTORY OF CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS)

	The group originally named MARINA ALTA BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP, was set up in 1999 by five women (four British and one Austrian), all of whom had had breast cancer.
	It is a registered charity - NIF G53448866 - Charity No 7261.
	The aim of the group is to give support to those ill with cancer and their families, from the Costa Blanca to the Costa del Sol.
	The name was changed to that of CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (MABS) because the medical profession was referring ALL cancers to the group for support.
	The committee was enlarged to seven to include two German and one Dutch speaker. We already had English and Spanish.
	All information is available in four languages - English, Spanish, German and Dutch. This covers info on the type of cancer the person has, treatment, side effects, where to buy wigs and prosthesis etc.
	The group also provides translators for clinic and hospital appointments. There is a small charge for this service paid by the patient but if there are financial difficulties then the group will assist.
	There are drivers who will collect the person from home and deliver them to the place of treatment, wait and bring the person home again. Again there is a small charge and the same applies if there are problems with money.
	The group receives no financial assistance from the local or regional governments and relies on fund raising and donations from local organisations etc.
	A charity shop opened in 2004 to raise funds. This is situated in La Jara near Dénia and accepts all donations except heavy furniture. They are always looking for volunteers to work in the shop. Please contact Maureen on 96 640 5407 for further information. All monies are retained for the group's use.
	There is no membership fee. A person who contacts the group receives all information free of charge and at the end of the treatment we hope that they will make a donation for our assistance.
	In April 2005 the President received an MBE from HM The Queen, at Buckingham Palace. This was for work carried out by the group for cancer patients in Spain.
	On 9 October 2005 the group was honoured to receive the 9 October Award for community work. This is the first time a non-Spanish organisation has received the award. This award is only given once a year to two recipients - one for 'civic' and the other for 'community' work. It is restricted to four towns or cities - Valencia, Castellón, Jávea and Alicante, Costa Blanca.
	The group now has branches with co-ordinators in Torrevieja, Marbella, Mazarron, La Marina and Mar Menor, but there are supporters in most towns. The supporters give their time free and only receive phone call and petrol money on the production of bills.
	The group has a small store of wheelchairs, zimmer frames with and without wheels, electric hoists, wheelchair lifts and electric beds. On a smaller scale, the group also has shower chairs, toilet seat raisers, fleece rings and bath seats for loan to those in need. Home2Home deliver the large items to the person's home FREE of charge for the group.

COMMITTEE:

Jacqui Phillips MBE - President
Tel: 96 579 4083 or 96 579 6804
Mobile: 686 305 006
E-mail: phillips1_45@yahoo.com or jandbphillips@gmail.com

Frances Sawyer - Vice-President
Tel: 636 986 301
E-mail: francessawyer@yahoo.com or sawyerfrances@gmail.com

Valerie Collins - Treasurer
Tel: 96 649 3258
E-mail: coli.wink@arrakis.es

Pauline Gale - Secretary
Tel: 96 647 0897

Vocals:

Pat Baker
Tel: 606 117 791
E-mail: patmbaker@hotmail.com

Hermien de Dreu
Tel: 96 647 3358 or 676 205 522
E-mail: hermien@telefonica.net

Kirsten Dossier Mhulbacher
Tel: 646 865 308
E-mail: kirstendoescher@web.de

Registered office:

1, Caravaggio
45 Cansalades Park
03739 Jávea
Alicante
Spain

NIF: G-53448866
Charity No. 7261