ACSOSA ZONA NORD (Solidarity Action for Health – Zona Nord) is a non-profit organization founded in Barcelona’s northern neighbourhoods, with the aim of promoting solidarity-based activities to improve community health and support medical research in different fields. The association works with residents of Ciutat Meridiana and Torre Baró to implement charitable initiatives it promotes. ACSOSA is also a meeting space for people who wish to get involved and help, building a mutual support network. This first edition of the fundraising run raised 8,000€ for cancer research at the VHIO. Nearly 900 people took part, running or walking, and there was also the option to collaborate through a solidarity bib.
Fundraising, Public Outreach & Patient Engagement Activities
At the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), we have worked to advance cancer research, and this progress has also been made possible thanks to the strong commitment and collaboration of our supporters.
Contributions from patient associations, individuals and companies have enabled the number of donations dedicated to research to continue to grow. At VHIO, we feel a deep commitment to all our donors to ensure that their contributions translate into meaningful benefits for society. Illustrative of these efforts, we take this opportunity to mention just some of the many highlights and activities in 2025.
Initiatives in Support of Cancer Research
In 2025, 54 solidarity initiatives were organized by patients, associations, companies, and individuals to raise funds for VHIO, involving 18,742 participants.
These numbers demonstrate society's commitment to cancer research. From the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) we would like to thank all the fundraising initiatives and all the people who support VHIO and contribute to the fight against cancer.
October 2025: Carles Constante with members of the ACSOSA Association during the run.
September 2025: Elaine Robinson and Cristina Saura at Paseíco de la Mama, Zaragoza. Cristina Saura, Inés Gasén, Mafalda Oliveira, and Vittoria Barberi.
El Paseíco de la Mama is a long-standing supporter of VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group led by Cristina Saura, providing essential funding year after year. Founded in 2011 by Inés Gasén and her family after her breast cancer diagnosis, the initiative has raised 57,581.50€ this year to support the PORTRAIT-TNBC project, which aims to identify the patients with early triple-negative breast cancer most likely to benefit from combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
July 2025: Volunteers of the Endavant Chic@s Association with Judith Balmaña, Luisa Vázquez and Cristina Saura.
The Endavant Chic@s Association was founded in 2016, and in 2017 Luisa Vázquez, the association’s President, together with other members, began volunteering on an altruistic basis in the waiting rooms of breast oncology clinics.
Through this volunteer work, a close and long-lasting relationship was built with VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group which, for the past eleven years, has worked with the association to organize annual workshops for breast cancer patients. This year, the association raised 17,106.61€ to support breast cancer and hereditary cancer research at VHIO, funding predictive models to better assess risk and help prevent the disease.
July 2025: María Susmozas, President of the Asociación Iker, with César Serrano.
Every year, the Iker Association supports VHIO’s Sarcoma Translational Research Group led by César Serrano. This association carries out activities such as charity markets, Christmas lottery campaigns, and community events, to raise funds for myxoid liposarcoma research. It also provides support to patients to guide them and help patients' families. In 2025, thanks to its solidarity initiatives, the association raised 6,180€ to support continued research into myxoid liposarcoma at VHIO.
October 2025: Members of the Association Sin teta hay paraíso with Sergi Cuadrado, Esther Zamora, Nadia Gomez, and staff of the city council of Montcada i Reixac; Members of the Association Sin teta hay paraíso with Meritxell Bellet, and staff of the city council of Palau Solità i Plegamans.
The Association Sin Teta Hay Paraíso, founded in 2012 in Montcada i Reixac, is a non-profit organisation that supports women affected by breast cancer. This year, it raised 34,675€ for research into lobular breast cancer research at VHIO, led by our Breast Cancer Group. For the eighth consecutive year, the association has also organized the Pink Run races, now established as annual events in Montcada i Reixac and Palau-solità i Plegamans, to help raise awareness and encourage strong community support for breast cancer research.
June 2025: Teresa Macarulla, Alejo García Cos, Daniel Acosta, Eduardo Terán, and Tian Tian.
Alejo García Cos, CEO of Rentmultimedia, visited VHIO to present a 20,000€ donation in support of VHIO’s Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Cancer and Endocrine Tumors Group. This contribution will help advance research into gastroesophageal cancer and support the development of new therapeutic options for patients. The donation will fund the ImmunoCLAUD project, which focuses on the comprehensive molecular characterization of CLDN18.2-positive gastroesophageal tumors.
October 2025: Cristina Saura with members of the Marinada self-help group. Hundreds of people took part in the Marinada walk in Vilanova i la Geltrú.
Marinada is a self-help group for women affected by breast cancer. Founded in 2005, the group has maintained a strong presence in Vilanova i la Geltrú. It offers emotional and practical support to women across the region. In 2025, Marinada launched #reptemarinadavng2025, a challenge with a clear goal: to raise funds in support of breast cancer research led by VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group. This year, the Marinada Annual Challenge raised 5,000€, which will be allocated to the study of liquid biopsy as a technique for the early detection of the disease.
November 2025: Organizers of the Padel Movember with Joaquin Mateo at the tournament.
Movember Padel is a charity padel tournament organized by doctors, journalists and engineers who are fans of this sport. This tournament is organized once a year, in November, as part of the Movember campaign to raise awareness and promote research into prostate and testicular cancer. This year, this initiative raised 6,737€, which was donated to VHIO’s Prostate Cancer Group, which is headed by Joaquin Mateo and was co-directed by Joan Carles up until July this year.
June 2025: Members of the organization of Unió Esportiva Avià with Mafalda Oliveira and Maria Borrell.
Unió Esportiva Avià organized a women’s football tournament in support of breast cancer research at VHIO. In its second edition, the tournament raised more than 6,000€ and was donated to the PORTRAIT-TNBC project, led by Mafalda Oliveira, Medical Oncologist and Senior Clinical Investigator of VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group. This project aims to identify which patients with early triple-negative breast cancer (eTNBC) are most likely to benefit from treatment combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy (pembrolizumab).
December 2025: Javier Garcia, President of the Friends of Manuel Barros Association, and Jaume Capdevila.
Javier García, President of the Friends of Manuel Barros Association, visited VHIO to present the funds raised through the association’s solidarity initiatives carried out in 2024 and 2025. These activities are part of the Minutes Against Cancer project, which aims to donate all proceeds to VHIO’s Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Endocrine Tumours Group to support research into biliary and endocrine tumors.
October 2025: VHIOVida music festival.
#IrurtzunRules was created thanks to the support and generosity of Sergi Irurtzun’s family and friends. Diagnosed with colon cancer eight years ago, Sergi left a powerful legacy, including the VHIOVida music festival, which promotes colon cancer research, raises awareness about the importance of biomedical science, and brings together patients, professionals and partner organizations. Each year, Cabrils City Council also supports the initiative. This year, the two organizations donated 23,134.30€ to VHIO’s Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors Group, led by Elena Élez.
June 2025: Members of Llavaneres contra el Càncer Association with Joan Carles, Macarena González, and Paula Pérez.
The Llavaneres contra el Càncer Association has raised 12,500€ in support of cancer research and clinical care for AYA patients (Adolescents and Young Adults). This donation will be allocated to VHIO’S Genitourinary (non-prostate), Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors, Sarcomas and Tumours of Unknown Origin Group.
October 2025: The Nocturna Rosa solidarity dinner, featuring a talk by Santiago Escrivá.
La Nocturna Rosa is a charity event dedicated to raising funds for VHIO’s Breast Cancer Group. This year, more than 400 people attended the fundraising dinner, raising 15,439€ with the support of over 60 companies from Catalonia and private donors. In addition, further funds were raised through a charity run organized in March to mark International Women’s Day.
December 2025: Josep Tabernero, Carles Constante, Sergi Cuadrado, Bianca Pont and Irene Coll, and donors and association representatives.
First VHIO Donors’ Day
On Thursday, 4 December, we held the first VHIO Donors’ Day, conceived as a space for bringing people together, recognition and gratitude towards all the individuals and initiatives whose solidarity enables continued progress in the development of new therapeutic options for patients with cancer. The event provided an opportunity to acknowledge their essential role and to share the impact of their support on advancing cancer research and patient care at VHIO.
Many individuals have contributed to VHIO during 2025, as well as individuals, companies and associations that have also made essential donations in support of our research against cancer:
Asociación Hasta donde Nadan las Ballenas: Pilar Losa, Asociación Social las Fuertes del Espinar, Associació la Nineta dels teus ulls, Associació Memorial Iván Calvo Laguna, Associació Volem Purpurina, Cosmetalia Consulting, Eye Events, Familia de Ozelot, Festival Vallviva, Galerías del tresillo, Hockey Terrassa, Hocatel S.A, Inversions Marval 2019 S.L.U, Isovolta S.A.U, Iturburu S.L, Kaleido Logistics S.L, Kukulu Mendi Kluba, Motorshow Ignasi Pradas, Mungiako Tritoiak Triatloi Kluba, Padel Cabrera (Para los Guerreros), Simply be Pilates, Sociedad Economica Barcelonesa de Amigos Pais, Sony Global Treasury Services PLC, Vidacaixa S.A.U de Seguros y Reaseguros, among others.
Public Outreach
A student performing the Volumes and Tools activity as part of our Escola i Ciència Program.
Escola i Ciència - Schools and Science Program
As part of our Escola i Ciència - Schools and Science Program, 563 students have visited VHIO to learn about science and cancer. Participants included mainly 6th grade of primary school students, but also upper secondary students (bachillerato), university students and vocational training students (ciclos formativos). During 2025, 15 different educative centers from Barcelona and surrounding areas visited VHIO to meet our researchers, tour our laboratories, and discover more about cancer biology and oncological research through dedicated scientific workshops conducted by VHIO investigators.
4th grade ESO students with their VHIO4STEM mentor at VHIO.
Group photo of all the students and VHIO faculty and professionals who participated in the VHIO4STEM program.
VHIO4STEM program
In 2025, VHIO held a new edition of the VHIO4STEM mentoring program, in which 22 students in 4th grade of ESO (compulsory secondary education) accompanied 11 VHIO researchers during four dedicated sessions. This program targets students at a pivotal moment in their educational journey, offering them the opportunity to explore the reality of cancer research, the dynamics of laboratory-based work, and the diverse skills and backgrounds that contribute to a research environment such as VHIO, through direct engagement with researchers.
VHIO’s third Open Day.
VHIO Open Day
Launched in 2023, the mission of our VHIO Open Day is to bring cancer research closer to society. This year, more than 150 participants took part in a wide range of activities designed for diverse audiences, including children, teenagers or adults, as well as cancer patients and their families.
The program included three roundtable discussions addressing key topics in contemporary cancer research, offering participants the opportunity to learn about current challenges and advances in the field through direct dialogue with VHIO experts. In addition, attendees were able to engage in multiple interactive activities, such as family-oriented workshops, storytelling sessions for children, laboratory ‘showlabs’, and hands-on experiences that introduced the use of research tools including microscopes and digital technologies. The Open Day also featured a dedicated professional guidance space, providing information on scientific careers and training pathways, among many other activities.
This initiative is part of VHIO’s accreditation as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (2022-2026), and one which we are dedicated to organizing each year.
World Cancer Day 2025
Once again, the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital marked World Cancer Day with an event, this time focused on current advances in cancer prevention, treatment and research. The program featured a roundtable discussion with the participation of Josep Tabernero, Director of VHIO, alongside other professionals from the hospital.
This year’s edition highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to cancer, bringing together clinical practice, research and innovation to improve patient outcomes.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Each year, VHIO women researchers participate in #científiques, a joint initiative led by the Fundació Catalana per a la Recerca i la Innovació (FCRI) and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), in collaboration with the Departament d’Educació de la Generalitat de Catalunya.
In 2025, 14 women researchers from VHIO took part in this initiative, contributing to its objectives of increasing the visibility of women in science and technology by highlighting their contribution and strategic role, while fostering closer connections between researchers and society through direct engagement in educational and public settings.
VHIO investigators at the beginning of their workshop as part of the 18th annual Festa de la Ciència.
Festa de la Ciència
The Ajuntament de Barcelona organized the 18th edition of the Festa de la Ciència, an annual event to share and explore the latest scientific advances through a wide range of educational and outreach activities aimed at families and the general public.
This year, Luz Maria Atlagich and Adrià Marcos Morales participated with a children’s storytelling activity designed to introduce basic concepts related to medicine and radiology in an engaging and accessible way. The activity encouraged curiosity and dialogue, allowing children to ask questions and explore these concepts collectively in a playful and age-appropriate setting.
VHIO-organized activities at the European Night of Research.
European Night of Research
On 26 September 2025, VHIO investigators once again took part in the European Night of Research, contributing to several public activities held at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum. Hundreds of people enjoyed four different activities in which VHIO showcased different dimensions of cancer research through interactive and participatory formats.
Led by Jose María Herranz, Carlos Ros and Daniel Sin, the program featured an interactive workshop titled: What are mutations?, which introduced the concept of genetic mutations and their role in cancer development through a hands-on LEGO-based activity. In parallel, Irene Braña participated in a scientific speed-dating session, offering a direct and dynamic insight into the research process, from identifying biomedical needs and designing experiments to translating results into clinical benefit.
In addition, Laia Peralba and Anna Moreno i García conducted a workshop focused on hereditary cancer and genetics, using play-based approaches to explain how genetics works and the role of family history in cancer risk. The program concluded with several micro-talks and a roundtable discussion within the thematic block Immunorevolution: from research to the medicine of the future, including the micro-talks: The cost of being a mammal! by Joan Seoane, and Making the invisible visible by Judit Díaz Gómez, as well as the roundtable discussion on Revolution in oncology with the participation of Joan Seoane and Alena Gros.
Pint of Science
On 19, 20 and 21 May 2025, the international Pint of Science Festival took place, a global science communication initiative that brings cutting-edge research to the general public through informal talks held in bars and other social spaces.
On this occasion, VHIO participated as an international sponsor of the festival. VHIO researchers Francisco Barriga, Olivia Prior, Adrià Marcos, Claudia Yáñez, and Mariana Yáñez took part in different Pint of Science events held in bars in Barcelona and Segovia, sharing their research and engaging directly with around 100 people.
In addition, VHIO joined the Pintíficas campaign, an initiative designed to highlight the work of women scientists and promote female role models in science, with the participation of VHIO researcher Olivia Prior.
A group of women from the Casal de Gent Gran attending the Women and Science VHIO talk.
Activities in the neighborhood and others
In addition to these initiatives, throughout 2025 VHIO organized several outreach talks and activities aimed at bringing cancer research closer to diverse audiences.
In line with our aim to strengthen outreach activities in the neighbourhoods surrounding VHIO’s facilities, we conducted different activities at the Casal de Gent Gran de Sant Genís, including both a Women and Science talk and a workshop on the use of artificial intelligence in cancer research.
In parallel, additional talks and seminars were held in schools, supporting early scientific engagement and promoting science education across different age groups.
Patient Engagement
To strengthen the involvement of patients and their families in VHIO research beyond the laboratory and clinic, we organized the following activities:
As a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (2022-2026), VHIO has developed its PAtient and CiTIzen InvolvemENT Program – PATIENT to bring research closer to the public and strengthen patient involvement in oncology research. Within the framework of this program, we organize a wide range of scientific outreach activities for patients throughout the year.
January 2025: Left to right: Luis Quevedo, Josep Tabernero, Enriqueta Felip, Marcos Malumbres and Gerard Segú
VHIO Talks
In 2025, we organized a new VHIO Talks series comprising 10 monthly sessions focused on cancer research. These talks covered a wide range of topics including cancer prevention, innovative treatment strategies, clinical trials, quality of life after cancer, patient involvement in research, as well as advances in brain tumors, neuroendocrine tumors and rare cancers.
The program promoted the exchange of knowledge by encouraging open discussion and debate between patients, participants and VHIO investigators. In total, the 2025 VHIO Talks brought together 8 invited patients and 77 investigators across the discussion panels, with an overall attendance of 888 participants. This series significantly increased public attendance and interest in the research conducted at VHIO and was made possible with the support of Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera.
April 2025: Daniel Acosta, Eduardo Terán, Adriana Alcaraz and attendees.
The 4th Annual Patient Day
As part of the Patient Program, the 4th Annual Patient Day was held on 10 April, this year focusing on gastric cancer research. The conference titled: Stomach and oesophageal cancer research and healthy lifestyles, was divided into two main sessions, the first highlighting the importance of healthy habits and nutrition in gastric cancer patients, and the second focusing on the approach to stomach and oesophageal cancer and research into these tumor types. These events are designed to update participants on the latest advances in cancer research, highlight main research lines pursued by our investigators, and further promote and strengthen collaboration between VHIO and society.
Poster for the 2025 series of talks on breast cancer.
Clinical Trials Workshops for Patients
The first edition of the Clinical Trials Workshops for Patients was held in 2025. Organized within the framework of the Patient Program, six workshops were organized with the participation of 25 VHIO researchers and 5 patients. The sessions addressed topics such as clinical trials in rare tumors, the management of clinical trials and patient questionnaires, the gap between patient expectations and trial outcomes, expectation management, and the collaboration with the AECC in VHIO clinical trials.
November 2025: Sergi Cuadrado, Alex Sierra, Alberto Hernando, Natalia Tissera, Ana López, Berta Colldeforns, Carmen Escudero, Irene Coll, and attendees.
VHIO’s First Patient Participation Day in Oncology Research
The first VHIO Patient Participation Day took place on 5 November 2025, with the aim of listening to and engaging in dialogue with patients to actively incorporate their perspectives into the design of research projects at VHIO. The event featured three round-table discussions with VHIO professionals, as well as an interactive session bringing together patients, clinicians and researchers to define new ways of fostering more active patient involvement.
Poster for the 2025-2026 series of talks on breast cancer.
Other workshops for patients
Breast Cancer Workshops
The 12th edition of the annual Breast Cancer Talks–Workshops, supported by Pfizer and organized in collaboration with the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital’s Breast Cancer Unit, led by Cristina Saura, was coordinated by Esther Zamora. These workshops provide a space for patients to learn, exchange views with oncology professionals and share their experiences with others affected by the disease. This educational programme also benefits from the ongoing support of the Endavant Chic@s Association.