They have been running lotteries since 2016, selling handicrafts and organizing a Race Against Cancer that has become a tradition in Las Pedroñeras. This is the Collective of cancer patients ‘The tree of life’, a point of reference at the provincial level for the numerous initiatives it plans with the aim of raising funds to promote research on this disease. An essential task for which they have raised around 100,000 euros in these seven years.
The forerunners of the group are Estela Fernández Gómez and Yolanda Salas de la Cueva, two women affected by this disease, who managed to mobilize an entire city to promote awareness and awareness on cancer which, in 2021, affected more than 33,000 people nationwide, according to the report prepared annually by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology. And it is that cancer comes by surprise, regardless of age, sex or race and in that moment any person feels lost.
In this sense, ‘The Tree of Life’ not only promotes activities, but also serves for these patients to come together, share experiences and accompany each other in the healing process. Because yes, cancer is treatable and a clear example of this is Estela Fernández, who after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 she can now say she resisted the cancer that changed her life.
However, this group would be nothing without the support of the people, as more and more residents of Las Pedroñeras and its surroundings are involved in each of the actions they carry out.
INITIATIVES
One of the proposals that arouses the greatest interest among the citizens of Las Pedroñeras is the Race Against Cancer, which this year celebrates its seventh edition. A tour that resumes after it took place in virtual format in the last two years due to the pandemic.
This year’s will take place on Sunday 16 October and will start at 10:30. A path in which runners and walkers can participate who will have to overcome a circuit of 8 and 4 kilometers respectively.
In addition, each of the participants, who at the close of this edition will exceed 1,700, will acquire a number worth 7 euros and the total collected will be donated to the National Center for Cancer Research (CNIO).
However, this is not the only way to collaborate with the group in “The Tree of Life”, as there will also be a solidarity market and a lottery of products supplied by local companies and businesses. Participation that makes Estela Fernández feel “very proud of my people” because “this disease can happen to anyone and every time we organize something, people respond very well”.
Furthermore, in every event that takes place in Las Pedroñeras or surroundings, such as the International Garlic Fair, a stand is set up for sale to the public because every occasion is good to collaborate and, above all, to raise awareness.
