Sant Julià de Lòria Concludes Cancer Awareness Week with Giant Human Ribbon and Scientific Talks

Sant Julià de Lòria wrapped up its second Agenda Social AMIC week on 16 May with a range of cancer awareness events, organised in partnership with bio-pharmaceutical firm CELLAB.

The centrepiece on Thursday was a giant white human ribbon in Plaça de la Germandat, drawing nearly 300 participants. Around 200 students and children joined roughly 100 others, including parish residents, elderly from Llar Laurèdia, pupils from both local schools, Comú staff, and health professionals from the first microbiota and immunotherapy course. They positioned white cards strategically to create the ribbon shape, captured in an aerial photo to signal solidarity with cancer patients and their families. Consul Minor Sofia Cortesao described the intergenerational gathering as essential for raising awareness, observing that cancer touches nearly everyone. She urged starting conversations with children early to dispel fear, emphasising scientific progress and improving survival rates. Cortesao stressed breaking the stigma linking cancer to death, promoting hope and linking the street action to academic sessions in Sala Sergi Mas.

The week opened Sunday with a fundraising sports day in the same square for ASSANDCA's "Sport, Women and Cancer!" initiative, supporting female patients through physical activity. More than 120 people joined zumba classes led by Tamara Martos and Sandrix—registrations rising from 50 to 70—and a fully booked barre session with EL RATO, which generated 710 euros. Culture councillor Teresa Areny hailed the response as proof of community spirit, saying locals showed clear willingness to contribute.

ASSANDCA president Josep Saravia praised the efforts for heightening visibility and reinforcing social awareness. He positioned research as the primary tool against cancer, still a leading cause of death with rising cases annually. Saravia reiterated demands for a local radiotherapy unit, cancer registry, and enhanced healthcare self-sufficiency to reduce patient transfers abroad, while noting advances like a breast unit and relocated oncology services.

Other highlights included the "New Friends Against Cancer" exhibition at Sala Sergi Mas and a scientific panel featuring Barcelona's Hospital Clínic experts Climent Casals, Manel Juan, and Antoni Martínez, plus SAAS researcher Cristina Royo. They examined the microbiota's role as an "organ" influencing immunotherapy outcomes, citing trial data showing doubled success from transplants, shaped by diet and lifestyle. Royo highlighted ongoing Andorra-Clínic collaborations in microbiota and metabolomics tied to a proposed research institute.