Queen Letizia Ortiz has once again raised her voice in defense of the rights of cancer patients.
As honorary president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the Queen attended the celebration of World Cancer Day, which on this occasion focused on uniting all social actors to reduce the occupational impact on people with cancer.
Queen Letizia’s Speech for World Cancer Day
At the event, the Queen recalled that these are “vulnerable people” regardless of their age and that we must imagine the diversity of situations they face when suffering from the disease “in all areas: physical, psychological, economic, occupational and social”.
He also noted that everyone present knew a loved one who, while employed in any sector, received a cancer diagnosis.
“But we also know that when they have had information when they have felt confident (…), and when they have had the affection and support of their personal and family environment, things have gone better,” she added.
In her speech, the Queen called for reflection on what a cancer diagnosis means in the workplace.
She stressed the importance of approaching the problem in a comprehensive way, putting people at the center of the oncological process so that they feel an active part of it.
He thanked for the opportunity to continue advancing in this noble cause to reduce its incidence and increase survival.
Full speech by Queen Letizia of Spain:
“Good morning and thank you to all the people who once again today have wanted to get involved in this call for attention that is World Cancer Day.
The day is dedicated, as Maria has explained very well, to the repercussions of a cancer diagnosis in the workplace, in people who have a job. We can imagine the diversity of situations in each of the people who suffer from the disease and what this means in terms of facing changes in all areas: physical, psychological, economic, labor, and social.
When we talk about cancer, and also in this case, it is important to approach everything in a comprehensive way and never forget that we are talking about vulnerable people, regardless of their age and condition.
All of us in this room know very dear people who have had a diagnosis of cancer and who were employees in a small, medium or large company, or worked in the public sector, or were self-employed, self-employed. Everybody knows what has happened. But we also know that when they have had information when they have felt confident, when they have been at the center of the cancer process and have felt an active part of that process, and when they have had the love and support of their personal and family environment, things have gone better.
We add to all this the labor perspective and of course, we have today the participation of those who are going to give us guidance and criteria so that companies and workers, so that society reflects, we reflect on what this means. So thank you again for this opportunity to continue advancing in something that matters to us, that concerns us and that affects us, such as cancer, and how to reduce its incidence and increase its survival. Thank you very much.”