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The third prize, worth 50.000 euros, was awarded to Dr. Alberto J. Schuhmacher, from the Aragon Health Research Institute, for the development of new therapeutic strategies based on nanotechnology
The organization is allocating €280.000 to research through the 7th M. Chiara Giorgetti Awards and is bringing together more than a hundred attendees in Barcelona for a conference on innovation and support.
La Spanish Association of Metastatic Breast Cancer (AECMM) presented this Tuesday OlivIAOlivIA, an artificial intelligence-based tool designed to offer information, guidance, and support to people living with metastatic breast cancer. Conceived from an empathetic AI perspective, OlivIA was created to respond to the real needs of patients, facilitating access to reliable information and offering support throughout the entire disease process.
The presentation took place during the "Together We Change the Goal" event, held at CosmoCaixa Barcelona, where more than a hundred patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, entities and representatives of civil society came together to reflect on the present and future challenges of metastatic breast cancer.
“Thanks to research, today we know more, we treat better, and we achieve something that, for those of us living with this disease, has immense value: more time. More time to share life. More time to build memories. More time to keep making plans. More time to keep living,” emphasized Elisenda Martínez, president of the AECMM. In this regard, Javier Selva, Director General of Technological Innovation and Scientific Internationalization of the Government of Catalonia, stressed that “research must be accompanied by innovation and knowledge transfer to become solutions that improve people's lives.”
280.000 euros to boost new research opportunities
One of the central moments of the day was the presentation of the VII M. Chiara Giorgetti Awards Research, with a total allocation of 280.000 euros to finance three projects focused on improving the knowledge and approach to metastatic breast cancer and opening new therapeutic opportunities for patients.
The first prize, worth 150.000 euros, was awarded to Dr. Joaquín Gavilá, from the Valencian Institute of Oncology Foundation, for her project on long-responder patients with luminal metastatic breast cancer and the evaluation of ctDNA-guided therapeutic de-escalation strategies. “This work is an idea we've been developing for many years, and it arises from our daily work in the clinic. Years ago, the word 'cure' was taboo. So congratulations, because we learn so much from you,” she noted.
The second prize, worth 80.000 euros, recognized the Dr. Antoni Celià, from the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, for research focused on the mechanisms of resistance to chemotherapy and its potential application to prevent metastatic progression. “It is very exciting to receive awards from patients at such a delicate time as metastasis.”
The third prize, of 50.000 euros, was awarded to Dr. Alberto J. Schuhmacher, from the Aragon Health Research Institute, for the development of new nanotechnology-based therapeutic strategies for the treatment of the disease. “When I met Amparo, my perspective changed, and that's why this project is called that. Science either has a social purpose or it isn't science. Let's work together towards our goal,” he emphasized.
A space to talk about innovation and support
Beyond the awards ceremony, the day served as a meeting point for patients, researchers, professionals and organizations to reflect on the challenges posed by metastatic breast cancer.
The program included a conversation between a patient and a researcher; a panel discussion focused on the potential of artificial intelligence in patient support; and a dialogue on the importance of collaboration between patients, organizations, researchers, and society.
Chiara's legacy
Emotion also played a prominent role in the day's events. On behalf of the Giorgetti family, Chiara's mother expressed her gratitude for the association's work and commitment. "With their work, they keep alive the spirit of Chiara and all the other women who could only dream of these moments. Let's continue dreaming big, and together we will change the course of events."
#IsNotEnoughTime
The event, sponsored by Menarini Stemline, concluded with a participatory activity inspired by the hashtag #MeFaltaTiempo (I Need More Time), in which patients, family members, researchers, and attendees shared what they still need time for. Messages such as “to keep living” or “to see my children grow up” brought to a close a gathering that once again highlighted the importance of research, innovation, and support in continuing to improve the lives of people living with metastatic breast cancer.
Because behind every scientific advance there is something that has incalculable value for patients: more time.
Source: Spanish Association for Metastatic Breast Cancer (CMM)
Image: Miquel Roig
