From 6 to 15 February, Bazar el Regalo launched a solidarity campaign in which 3% of sales were allocated to childhood cancer research at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). Thanks to this initiative, carried out both in physical stores and online, €13,644 has been raised.

Every year, more than 230 children and adolescents in Catalonia and 1,400 in Spain receive a diagnosis that changes their lives and those of their families: cancer. It is the leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 and the second among young people aged 15 to 24, after accidents.

Paediatric cancer differs from adult cancer in its origin, types and progression. Although 80% of patients are cured, 20% of paediatric tumours still do not respond to current treatments and may relapse. In addition, available therapies are often highly aggressive and may leave serious long-term effects. “Research in personalised medicine is key to developing more effective and less aggressive treatments tailored to the characteristics of each patient’s tumour”, explains Dr. Aroa Soriano, principal investigator of the Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Group at VHIR.

In this context, in 2017 Vall d’Hebron launched the Personalised Medicine Programme in Paediatric Oncology, known as COMIK (Cancer OMIcs for Kids), made up of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Using advanced sequencing techniques, the programme studies tumours from children and adolescents who have relapsed or do not respond to standard treatments. Gaining an in-depth understanding of the tumour helps identify specific alterations that enable targeted therapies to be offered. The ultimate aim is to expand treatment options for patients who relapse.

“Initiatives like the one from Bazar el Regalo, made with so much care, are essential for us to be able to move forward with our personalized medicine program”, states Dr. Soriano.

Vall d’Hebron is a reference centre throughout Spain for advanced sequencing studies in paediatric cancer and receives cases from hospitals across the country. It also coordinates the national SEHOP-PENCIL study, a project that aims to guarantee equitable access to personalised medicine regardless of the patient’s place of residence.

The solidarity of Bazar el Regalo

Bazar el Regalo opened its doors in 1975 and is currently a benchmark in the electrical retail sector. It is a family-owned company deeply rooted in the local area, founded with the aim of standing alongside people.

Solidarity is part of the company’s DNA. “We believe that every small gesture can transform lives. That is why collaborating with VHIR in childhood cancer research is much more than a social initiative for us. It is a deep commitment to the families who are fighting and to the children who deserve a future. Together, we can bring hope where it is most needed”, says Angel Pujol, Commercial, Sales and Expansion Director at Bazar el Regalo.