On the occasion of World Cancer Day, President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca visited Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, where she met and spoke with the management of the centre, the staff and with the patients who are currently receiving treatment at the centre.
During this visit, the President inaugurated the help desk and the office of the National Cancer Platform. The platform was created under the auspices of the President of Malta on World Cancer Day last year.
The National Cancer Platform is made up of 13 NGOs which work and collaborate together in the best interest of persons who are diagnosed with cancer. The NGOs are, Action for Breast Cancer Foundation, ALIVE Charity Foundation, Aurora Support Service, Europa Donna Malta, Hospice Malta, Karl Vella Foundation, Lumiere Support Group, The Malta Community Chest Fund, Malta Male Cancer Awareness, Malta Health Network, Malta Colorectal Cancer Awareness Group, Malta Ostomy Association, Puttinu Cares and Survivors Malta.
When the National Cancer Platform was officially launched, the President had explained that the NGOs will be collaborating together in their work, with the aim of helping all the cancer patients, their families including their children, whilst never forgetting their individual identities.
Thanks to the office, and the help desk within the oncology centre, the National Cancer Platform will serve as a bridge for all those Maltese and Gozitan people who would seek the help of any of the 13 NGOs whilst receiving treatment at the Oncology Centre. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca mentioned that this is another step forward to ensure that no one is left alone.
The office of the National Cancer Platform is coordinated by Ms Marika Fleri and it is open from Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 12:30. Those who would not be able to visit the office can get in touch with the National Cancer Platform on free phone 8007 2388,
During the same visit, the COO of Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, Ms May Caruana, presented a number of new information booklets, which the centre created to increase the awareness of the various types of cancer, adding to the booklets which were launched last year.
Parliamentary Secretary for Health Chris Fearne said that the national cancer plan for the coming years will be launched this year. This plan is built on three main pillars: prevention, better service and research.
Tomorrow, the President will continue with activities related to World Cancer Day when she will address a conference organised by the National Cancer Platform entitled ‘We Can. I Can.’ This conference will be held at The Palace, Valletta, and it will also be streamed live on the Facebook pages of the President of Malta and of the National Cancer Platform.