The ITA validates the industrial use of waste masks to manufacture combs and brushes
6 April 2022Call for research grants. Postdoctoral scholarship program year 2022. Olga Torres Foundation.
7 April 2022
The association was born practically at the same time as the Oncopediatrics Unit of the Miguel Servet hospital in Zaragoza.
Aspanoa (Aragon Association of Parents of Children with Cancer) will receive the Medal of the Cuts. The institution wants to recognize with this its "commitment to care for boys and girls with cancer in the Community." The president of the Cortes, Javier Sada, who was in charge this Wednesday of making this year's winner public, has pointed out that it is a "more than deserved" award for one of the "most active and best-purposed" entities. The association received the news with "great emotion." "It represents recognition of many years of work," the manager, Juan Carlos Acín, has assessed.
The Board and the Board of Spokespersons of the Aragonese Parliament have unanimously agreed this Wednesday to grant their highest distinction to this entity, which will receive it next April 23 at the Palace of the Aljafería, during the institutional event organized on the occasion of the aragon day. The Cortes has valued "the enormous work of an association founded more than thirty-three years ago to overcome obstacles through research, innovation and improvement of care."
In the words of the representatives of Parliament, Aspanoa is an example of what society has been able to build thanks to self-government. "It is an entity that has charted its own path, independently and with the sole purpose of dedicating itself to Aragonese society, placing the greatest of our values as the priority of all its efforts: life," They have highlighted.
In order to achieve its main purpose, Aspanoa, according to Sada, "has made itself known within the social fabric through many activities that also served to finance itself."
From Aspanoa they have assured that receiving this Medal is a "recognition" for all the children they have cared for. "They are the brave ones, those who have faced the disease. And also their families who are the ones who suffer and then become part of the association," Acin has defended. Thus, he has said that the recognition is dedicated to the 1.000 Aragonese families that are part of Aspanoa. The manager stressed that, despite the changes in management, "the essence of Aspanoa has always been the same."
Last year, it was the elderly people of the Community who received the Medal for their commitment during the pandemic.
Three decades helping in the worst moments
More than three decades serving families in complicated situations. "The most critical moment is when they receive the diagnosis. We are there to help them from the first moment"explains the manager, Juan Carlos Acín. Aspanoa was born in 1988 with several dozen families who wanted to help parents who were going to live the same life as them. It was practically founded "at the same time as the Servet Pediatric Oncotherapy Unit", aim.
Aspanoa offers services of various types. They provide psychological support to parents and children – in the hospital, at the headquarters and in other municipalities – and social support – they look for accommodation for families who have to move from the city, they offer financial aid to the vulnerable and they provide benefits to people who have have to stop working during her son's treatment. They also invest 10.000 euros each year to pay for breakfast, lunch and dinner for the companion of the admitted child and have shelters near the hospital for people who have to travel. In addition, about 80 children benefit from physiotherapy and musicology services each year.
Investment in research is "fundamental". "One of our great challenges is for Aragon researchers to divert their attention to pediatric oncology," explains Acín. In fact, Aspanoa has invested close to 500.000 euros in 5 projects thanks to the funds raised in the different actions they carry out. A few days ago they also asked the Government of Aragon for new CAR-T immunotherapy treatments and soon therapy. Today, they report, patients who need this technology have to be referred to other communities.
In order to raise funds for the different services they offer and to invest in research, Aspanoa organizes dozens of activities. The jewel in the crown is the now traditional soccer match in La Romareda between the Veterans Group of the Real Zaragoza and another team of ex-footballers. In this clash, around 15% of the income that Aspanoa needs to carry out its social work against childhood cancer is raised.
Another of the activities to raise money for this entity is the Aspanoa Exhibition. It is considered one of the main collective exhibitions of contemporary Aragonese art. Participating artists give a work to the association and 100% of what is obtained from its sale goes to the fight against childhood cancer. They also organize charity tournaments and mountain bike tests.
Source: Heraldo de Aragón
