Oncomunidad Supports Cancer Patients in Spain

Why this is here: Carmen Eleta started Oncomunidad with a pilot program involving 50 people, seeking to address the need for community support beyond medical treatment.

Carmen Eleta, a 58-year-old engineer in Spain, founded Oncomunidad, an association offering support to people affected by cancer. Eleta herself experienced cancer twice—first colon cancer 21 years ago, and then ovarian cancer in 2018. These experiences led her to recognize a need for community among patients.

She began with a three-month online pilot program in the spring of 2024. This program involved 50 people, both in treatment and in remission.

In October 2024, she formally established Oncomunidad, which now holds 22 monthly sessions. These include classes, workshops, and discussions.

The association costs between 15 to 30 euros monthly, but does not yet cover expenses. Eleta currently funds the project herself, and seeks partnerships to offer scholarships and reach financial sustainability with just 50 more members. The work to understand the emotional patterns of illness, such as guilt, continues.