The Vall d’Hebron Research Institute hosts the handover of a solidarity cheque raised through initiatives by the 8000 Estels Association. The funds collected will help ensure the continuity of the pediatric brain tumor research line developed by the Vall d’Hebron research teams.

The association was born from the story of Ànnia, a cancer patient at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, and her fight against childhood cancer after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. From this experience, her family decided to transform a difficult reality into collective action. Since its inception, the association has worked to raise awareness of childhood cancer, support children and families, and place emotions, community, social commitment, and research at the heart of its mission as a driver of change. It is a project that connects personal experience, community, and social engagement.

In its effort to make childhood cancer more visible, Ànnia shared her story on La Marató de 3Cat, in one of the most widely viewed interviews of the edition. The testimony had a major social impact, with over 1,300,000 views on social media, helping to sensitize and raise public awareness about the reality faced by children with cancer.

A solidarity movement taking shape through multiple initiatives

Over the past few months, 8000 Estels has promoted and supported various fundraising initiatives, carried out across different fields and with strong local involvement.

In the cultural sphere, the storybook Els 8000 estels de l’Ànnia, published by Editorial Tramuntana, stands out. “It is an educational and awareness-raising tool that brings the reality of childhood cancer closer to children and families, while also contributing to promoting research,” says Joana Mireia, founder of the association.

This cultural project is complemented by the song “8000 estels”, created by Elisa Mas, a piece intended to become an anthem for the fight against childhood cancer and to extend the project’s story through music and shared emotion.

Educational actions have played a central role, with projects developed in schools across the region that, inspired by Ànnia’s story and guided by Núria Burgada, were transformed into solidarity events open to families and the community. Schools such as Escola Jaume I in Llívia, Escola Vedruna in Puigcerdà, and Escola de Castellterçol have organized solidarity fairs, theatrical performances, holiday material projects, and other creative initiatives that have mobilized entire towns.

In the sports arena, collective effort has materialized in actions such as the IX Nautical Solidarity Mile organized by Bombers Solidaris, the 2024 Intercompany Solidarity Olympics, as well as several solidarity summit climbs with Núria Burgada and Enforma Inspira, including the 1st Solidarity Ascent to the summit of Puigllançada. The Children’s Descent at La Molina, the oldest children’s ski race in Europe, has also combined sport, history, and solidarity.

Finally, community and creative actions have brought solidarity into public spaces, such as the 1st Solidarity Day of Sant Fost de Campsentelles against childhood cancer, an initiative that involved the entire municipality and demonstrated the power of collective mobilization.

In this shared journey, 8000 Estels has joined forces with Policías por Valientes, an organization rooted in the Terrassa Municipal Police committed to childhood cancer research. Within this framework, Policías por Valientes promotes the FaViAl Scholarship, an initiative that allocates €25,000 annually to the pediatric brain tumor research line developed in collaboration with 8000 Estels and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute. This alliance strengthens their joint commitment to research as a key tool to advance knowledge and improve life opportunities for children.

“All these actions, diverse in form but sharing values, have turned citizen participation into emotional support, social awareness, and research momentum. The handover of the cheque to Vall d’Hebron symbolizes this shared path and reinforces the commitment to continue working together so that every solidarity action translates into minutes of research and so that research becomes new life opportunities for children and their families,” emphasizes Joana.

From donation to research

The research project currently underway at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) focuses on pediatric brain tumors, one of the main current challenges in childhood oncology. The research aims to deepen the understanding of the biological and molecular mechanisms driving these tumors and to identify innovative therapeutic strategies, especially in immunotherapy and precision medicine, going beyond conventional treatments.

The main goal is to develop more effective and specific therapies for pediatric brain tumors, tailored to the molecular characteristics of each tumor. The project seeks not only to improve treatment efficacy but also to significantly reduce the toxicity associated with current therapies, which often have a major impact on neurodevelopment and long-term quality of life for children.

The donation will directly advance research with a dual impact. On one hand, a significant scientific impact, as it will contribute to generating new knowledge about the biology of pediatric brain tumors, identifying new therapeutic targets, and validating innovative strategies that can be translated into future clinical trials.
On the other hand, a major impact on patients, as the development of more precise and selective therapies may allow the tumor to be treated more effectively while better preserving healthy tissue. “This translates into potentially safer treatments, with fewer long-term side effects, improved quality of life after illness, and greater opportunities for children to grow and develop normally once cancer is overcome,” highlights Dr. Miquel Segura, principal investigator of the Childhood Cancer and Hematological Diseases group at VHIR.