Our history

My name is Oksana, and I have lived in Spain for over 20 years. Unfortunately, several of my friends were diagnosed with a disease whose name often leaves people speechless – cancer. Thankfully, the doctors and the Spanish healthcare system helped them recover, allowing them to continue living life to the fullest. They are travelling, having children, pursuing their passions, and some have even made it their mission to help others navigate the difficult journey of recovery.

Whenever my friends received news that left them feeling helpless and anxious about their futures, I was there for them. During their numerous tests, treatments, and doctor appointments, I tried my best to be a shoulder to lean on. From this experience, I concluded that what they needed most during these difficult times was simply human support.

I’m neither a doctor nor, certainly, God; I couldn’t assist them with their treatment, but I could meet them outside the doctor’s office and say the simplest of phrases: “Let’s go for a coffee,” “Let’s get some sea air,” or “Let’s go for a walk in the park.” It doesn’t matter what words you use; what truly matters is pulling a person out of hopelessness and despair, even if just for a moment. 

Then, I could say, “Let’s get away this summer…” and it doesn’t matter where – whether to the beach two stops away or to an exotic country thousands of kilometres away. The main thing is that, in that moment, their eyes would light up, and you could see in them that, YES!, there would be a summer, there would be a journey, and perhaps even an adventure. Most importantly, there would be a future, and it would be wonderful because that is what life is all about! 

That feeling would inspire them to fight for that very future, for that very life, and to keep moving forward until they triumphed!

While waiting for them at the hospital, I witnessed a significant amount of despair and pain among others who shared the same diagnosis. It was especially difficult to see the young children and their parents affected by this misfortune. One thought kept running through my mind: why them? And more importantly, how could I help?

Time went by, but that thought wouldn’t leave my mind. Eventually, I realised that it was not only possible but essential to help! We connected with like-minded individuals, and the core – or rather, the ‘heart’ – of our organisation began to take shape.

Anastasia, our coordinator, has personally experienced this challenging journey and successfully overcome it. For many years, she has been dedicated to working with cancer patients. She helps organise the treatment process by obtaining second opinions from specialists, coordinating travel arrangements, managing hospital admissions, and facilitating communication between patients and the medical team. Anastasia provides support to patients at various stages of treatment, always staying true to her main goal: to ensure that interactions with the healthcare system are clearer and more convenient.

Anna is the coordinator responsible for managing processes essential for a comfortable stay in a foreign country, although these processes are not directly related to treatment. Her empathy, diplomacy, and ability to connect with people from diverse cultures create an atmosphere of trust. She ensures that everyone feels confident, supported, and cared for, both within the clinic and beyond its walls.

This is the story of how something beyond mere assistance came to be. It explains the establishment of our centre in Spain, MEDCARE Iberia, which provides a genuine opportunity for people facing the challenges of cancer. This represents our small contribution to saving lives, instilling hope for the future, and making the world a better place.