The League Against Cancer / Liga Contra el Cancer was founded in Miami in 1975 as a community based, not for profit organization providing free medical care to needy cancer patients. More than 350 Florida physicians, who are board-certified in their specialties, volunteer their services to the League Against Cancer. The dedication and support of volunteer physicians and on-going assistance of volunteers maintain administrative costs at about 12% of operational budgets. League Against Cancer is the last resort for cancer victims who have no financial resources or health insurance. Since 1975, more than 50,000 low-income, uninsured men, women and children have received world-class medical treatment, screenings and support from the League Against Cancer, which represents a very significant economic saving to the State of Florida. Expenses incurred by the League Against Cancer for cancer treatments can amount to as much as $50,000 per patient. Patients receive the appropriate medical treatments at no cost to them.

How it all began...

The League Against Cancer was founded in Florida in 1975. Lourdes Aguila (1932-1999), served as General Coordinator from 1975 until her death in 1999. The League Against Cancer was modeled after a similar organization that began in 1925 in Havana, Cuba and grew to include a world renown oncology center and operated until the Cuban Revolution in 1959. Lourdes Aguila's lifelong dedication to this cause made the League Against Cancer the unique organization that it is today, serving as an intake and treatment facility for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. Once determined to be eligible for services, patient receive the appropriate services at no cost. Services are provided at the League's own facility, in private physicians offices and at local hospitals. The League accepts patients - children and adults - without distinction of race, creed or nationality. The League serves patients who lack the financial means to cover the costs of their treatment. Patients must have established legal residence in Florida or political asylum.

Francisca González

“League Against Cancer was for me an oasis of faith and hope. When I arrived there, I was sad and discouraged like all cancer patients. But in “The League” my sadness turned into optimisms, thanks to the love and professionalism of the volunteers, the nurses, and the administrators. All of them are like angels. They always treated me with special care, giving me courage in my fight against cancer. My special thanks go to Dr. Luis Villa for his generosity. Thank you, Dr. Villa, for accepting me, and for giving me another opportunity to face life with a smile again. At “The League” I felt like part of the family: supported, accompanied, and loved by everyone. The optimism and generosity of every person that works there is infinite, and their human warmth made my road easier as I faced the very hard times I am going through now. My gratitude to “The League Against Cancer” will be eternal: they gave me back my joy, my will to live, and my smile."

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Ana Maria Polo

"My name is Ana Maria Polo. I am the arbiter of “Caso Cerrado” (Closed Case) and a breast cancer survivor. This June it will be three years since my mastectomy, and I feel better and stronger each day because I have learned that life is fragile, and that we should take care every day of our bodies and minds. I am fortunate that my insurance pays for all my operations and treatments. However, I know there are millions of people that do not have health insurance, and they have to face this cruel disease without economic support. This is why I believe the work of the “League Against Cancer” is priceless, and we should support “The League” until every patient in this country has the means to face cancer with dignity and MONEY. I ask all the patients that are going through this horrible disease not to EVER lose their faith and hope, because with God’s help and the “Leguae Against Cancer”, their cancer will soon be a CLOSED CASE."