CAT
ES
The Federació Catalana d’Entitats contra el Càncer (FECEC) celebrated yesterday its 25 years of history together with the member organizations that form part of it, authorities, collaborators and friends at a celebration held at the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau.
More than one hundred people linked to FECEC Junts Contra el Càncer attended the event reviewing this quarter century of work to improve the quality of life of people with cancer and their families, as well as to advance their rights.
Hosted by journalist Cristina Puig, the event was attended by the Secretary General of Drets Socials i Inclusió, Raúl Moreno; the Secretary for Healthcare and Participation of the Departament de Salut, Gloria Gálvez; Sonia Fuertes, Commissioner for Social Action at the Ajuntament de Barcelona; and Samuel Núñez, Deputy for Comerç, Consum i Salut Pública de la Diputació de Barcelona. The four authorities congratulated and thanked FECEC for the work carried out over the past 25 years. They also emphasized the importance of prevention and the essential role of volunteers from member organizations in supporting people going through an oncological process. Likewise, they highlighted the commitment of the participating administrations to continue providing more humane and comprehensive care for people with cancer and improving their quality of life.
The authorities attending the event
Afterwards, the manager of FECEC Junts Contra el Càncer, Clara Rosàs, reviewed these 25 years, making a special mention in memory of the honorary presidents of the organization, Carles Carcolé, Josep Morell and Dr. Ramon M.ª Miralles. In this overview of the achievements reached, there was also room to highlight the organization’s particular impact on two key aspects of the post-cancer stage: the gradual return to work and the right to oncological oblivion.
The manager of FECEC, Clara Rosàs, and the host of the event, Cristina Puig
Next, a video was shown reviewing some of the most important moments in the 25-year history of the Federation.
Following this, the round table Challenges in Oncology Care took place, with the participation of Dr. Josep Maria Borràs, director of the Pla Director d’Oncologia of the Departament de Salut, Dr. Joan Brunet, Director General of the Institut Català d’Oncologia (ICO), and the vice-president of FECEC, Anna Varderi.
Prevention was one of the key points highlighted by Dr. Borràs, both regarding the need to follow healthy lifestyles to reduce the risk of developing cancer and the importance of participating in early detection programs. Dr. Brunet highlighted advances in treatments such as precision oncology and immunotherapy achieved in recent years thanks to research. Regarding psychosocial care, Varderi emphasized the need to integrate the role of organizations within the health system in order to work together.
Drs. Josep Maria Borràs and Joan Brunet, and Anna Varderi, at the round table
Next, it was the turn of the member organizations, represented by Agustina Sirgo, president of the Lliga contra el Càncer de les Comarques de Tarragona i les Terres de l’Ebre, and Joan Torner, president of Amics Joan Petit Nens amb Càncer. These organizations are the first and the most recent to join FECEC. Both presidents emphasized the importance of psychosocial support for both adults and children with cancer and their families through social organizations.
In the closing of the event, led by the president Maria Assumpció Vilà, thanks were given for the support received over this quarter century from member organizations, administrations and collaborators, and the incorporation of a new organization into the Federació Catalana d’Entitats contra el Càncer was announced: Cims contra el Càncer. This association, which promotes physical exercise among people undergoing cancer treatment or in post-treatment stages, is now the 17th member organization of FECEC.
The president of FECEC, Maria Assumpció Vilà.
The celebration featured performances by singer Aina Rabassa and guitarist Juan Murúa, who performed two very emotional covers: Vestida de Nit, by Sílvia Pérez Cruz, and Compta amb mi, by the group Txarango.
Aina Rabassa, vocals, and Juan Múrua, guitar.
FECEC would like to thank everyone who attended the event and the collaborators who made it possible: the Departments of Drets Socials i Inclusió and Salut of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Diputació de Barcelona, MSD and Pierre Fabre. Here’s to many more years Together Against Cancer!
Photos: Jordi Borràs and Sandra Roman