The Cudeca Foundation
This contribution comes from Mrs Laura Haggis Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice is the outcome of the initiative of an English resident, Joan Hunt O.B.E. Following the death of her husband from cancer, Joan wanted to do something more for patients who were in the same situation as her husband had been. She made a commitment to make palliative care available to all those who needed it, with the aim that patients should stay in their own homes until the end, if that was their wish (something her husband, Fred, had not been able to do). It is estimated world wide that 1 person out of 3 will develop cancer, of which 50% will need palliative care. (Note that palliative care is comprised of treatment for the control of physical symptoms and pain, as well as emotional and social support to the patient and family). In Malaga province alone, there are estimated to be around 4,000 patients who are diagnosed with cancer each year, and, in the long term, nearly half of these people will not win their fight against cancer. Cudeca is recognised and supported by the oncology and radiotherapy services in Malaga, and these are a direct source of patient referrals. The Foundation also works closely with Health Centres, both in the coastal areas as well as in the inland villages, contributing both patient health care and medical staff training. Cudeca is a charitable organisation whose aim is to give special end-of-life palliative hospice care, free of charge, to patients suffering from advanced non-curable cancer, with support to their family before and after the loss of their loved one. At the same time it is committed to the further study and awareness of palliative care, maintaining a close relationship with the modern international Hospice movement. It is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), non profit-making, self-funding charity, relying on financial support either direct from businesses and people in the community, from sales in the charity shops or from fund-raising events. From the inception of the charity in March 1992, the Foundation has been providing a Home-Care service with medical teams (now three in number) each led by a highly qualified doctor. When a patient or their family make contact, an interview will be arranged to evaluate the care needed and their home situation. The treatment then provided is according to the individual needs of each patient and their family. From 1992 to the end of 2007, our medical personnel have treated 5,000 patients, of whom 80% have been supported through to the end in their own homes. In 1997, in addition to the home care programme, an Out-Patient Consolation Programme was initiated with three departments: Counselling, Palliative Care and Lymph oedema. In 2000 the dream was realised when the Hospice Centre was partly ready for occupation. The land was donated by the Town Hall of Benalmadena, and a concerted fund-raising campaign (including “Raise the Roof”) paid for the phased construction.In 2002 the Day Care Centre was opened and in 2005 the In-Patient Unit opened to receive patients. The building has a 15 bed In-patient Unit, a Day-Care Centre as well as the Out-Patient consultation area. In addition there are reception, medical, training, administration and service areas.The In-Patient rooms, each has its own bathroom and a terrace which joins the private gardens and overlooks the Mediterranean. The doors from the rooms are wide enough to enable the beds to be pushed onto the terrace if that is what the patient and family would like. Currently, nine rooms are in use – 2 single-bedded rooms and 7 twin-bedded rooms. For family members and other visitors, there is a general sitting room with sofa and easy chairs. There is also a room equipped with toys and games to keep visiting children occupied should they become restless sitting with the patient and family. A small (non-denominational) chapel is available for the use of anyone who requests spiritual counselling, or who just wish to sit quietly. The Hospice is staffed by qualified medical personnel, plus administration staff working in the areas of financial control and fundraising. The reception doubles as a shop selling small donated articles to attract funds, whilst there are specialist service staff engaged in providing the support required by a building operating 24-hours per day. Volunteers are a very important part of the Foundation and contribute in various areas: Home-Care support; Day-Care help to patients; Administration; Fund Raising; Charity Shops.Volunteers pass through a selection process and those working with patients have to complete a training course and undertake an interview with a psychologist for a final assessment before being accepted. Whilst the opening of the In-Patient unit in 2005 was a major milestone, it is unfortunate that further developments have been hampered by lack of ongoing funding. The fact that only two-thirds of the In-Patient beds are in use because there is simply not enough money to maintain the current level of services, let alone support the additional medical team required to support the other five beds. The current cost of an In-Patient room is approximately €100,000 per annum, which may seem a huge amount, but when viewed as €275 per day, compares very favourably with the cost of a room in a private hospital.. Despite the ongoing work by the staff and volunteers, and widespread support in the community, it is regrettable that the financial contributions have not kept pace with the increasing costs of running the In-Patient Unit. At the end of 2007, the shortfall for the cost of this unit was nearly €600,000 and, realistically, Cudeca needs to find an additional €500,000 each year if it is to continue to operate this important and much needed care service. The financial figures for 2007, show that net income (minus fund raising costs) was almost €1.5million. Of this income, 92% was from private subscriptions and only 8% from public sources. Expenditure (again without fund raising costs) during the same period was €2.1 million, with over 80% being on staff costs. Following a presentation made at the Hospice Centre on 27th February 2008, to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of the Foundation, a great deal of publicity has been given to the announcement of the need for more money and an appeal has been launched to try to find additional financial assistance. To this end, staff have sent out letters to everyone who might help in this way – local businesses, volunteers, previous donors, and, in particular, to the families of those who have benefited from the Cudeca´s special care services over the last 15 years. The drive to attract more “socios” / sponsors / friends is under way. Finding 5,000 people to sign-up to give €10 per month would be the answer to the problem, but as the total number of people treated amount to this same 5,000, other sources of revenue will have to be found. The reality of the situation is that if funding is not forthcoming, Cudeca will have no alternative but to close the In-Patients-Unit. If that does come to pass, it will not initially influence the care of patients via the Home-Care Programme or in the Day Care Centre, but will be a serious blow to Cancer Care on the Costa del Sol and which may take years to recover to current levels. A final word from Joan Hunt, Founder,“We will keep you informed of our strategy for retaining the In-Patient Unit. In the meantime, we thank everyone for their hard work and support. Together we have achieved so much and I feel confident that the community, and the private and public sectors, will make a warm response to our call for help to turn our finances around”. How to Help• Become a sponsor making monthly or annual contributions• Make a one-off donation now• Make a provision for Cudeca in your will• Organise a fund-raising event• Volunteer to help with fundraising• Have a fund-raising tin in your business • Help by coming up with ideas for raising money
See our website www.cudeca.org for details or From the Cudeca Foundation back we go to our Home Page
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