Dear Friend of Cudeca,

 

You will be aware of the current economic crisis that we are all experiencing, and the havoc it is causing amongst the needy. This crisis has also reached Cudeca, and although we have not had to take extraordinary measures for the last four years, 2012 was a particularly bad year in terms of income, and we had to close accounts with losses in excess of € 400,000. This is why we write to inform you of the difficult situation we are going through, and to explain the main reasons for this and the measures that we have implemented.

 

This worldwide economic crisis, which since 2010 has significantly affected public subventions and donations from savings banks, and in 2012, for the first time in 20 years, it caused a concerning drop in income from individuals, both Spanish and foreign, who have been the firm base that has supported Cudeca since the very beginning. This has therefore resulted in event revenues dropping by 15%, and donations by 14%.

 

Furthermore, it was not possible to sell any properties during 2012. Despite lowering price values, the housing market crisis is severely affecting this source of extraordinary income which in previous years had helped to overcome the annual deficit.

 

The Board of Trustees, the Hospice’s highest level of management, together with the Board of Directors, are constantly evaluating this difficult situation, anticipating that the current economic crisis will continue for some years to come. Measures are being explored to increase revenue and reduce costs, which will be implemented in the coming months. One of the first steps, which is already underway, is to reduce employee salaries, thanks to the effort and commitment of all the employees.

 

For the time being, it is not contemplated that the Hospice care programmes will be affected, given that the reserves can sustain the programmes in the short-term, ever hoping that the measures that have been taken onboard will improve expectations for the near future. In May 2013 the situation will be re-assessed at an extraordinary Board meeting.

 

Cudeca in 2013 and 2014 will be facing a huge challenge: to continue providing the necessary level of care to people with cancer or other advanced and non-curable illnesses, aiming to alleviate symptoms and to accompany them to the end of life. Each year 750 patients and their families need the special kind of caring provided by the Hospice.

 

In the past Cudeca has successfully overcome similar crises, and we hope that this time we will win the battle, thanks to the help of all the volunteers that has shared this journey with us for the past 20 years.

 

We feel deeply grateful and are fully confident that you and all our friends will continue to support and assist Cudeca to overcome this obstacle and help to keep all our care programmes available to any patient and family who need us, and to find the necessary means of sustaining our project.

 

Marisa Martin
Chief Executive Medical Director