Adeje promises to create the ‘Casa Rosa’ for the Canarian Carrera por la Vida Foundation

Dozens of volunteers mobilized to distribute the different clothing and objects with which attendees contribute financially to help breast cancer patients, so that they have clothing necessary for their daily lives, psychological support actions and to promote research.

Animation, music, dance and the meeting between people arriving from various parts of the Island starred in the festive event, in which positivity and optimism are promoted to face the disease in the best possible way.

Many of the attendees come as a show of solidarity with a family member, friends or neighbors affected by some oncological pathology, although in other cases they do so as a sign of commitment to the cause.

Shortly before the start of the walk, the mayor of Adeje, José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, promised that the La Casa Rosa project will become a reality, a facility with sufficient capacity so that the Canarian Race for Life Foundation can carry out all the activities it requires and serve all the people who need your support.

This is an initiative of the president of the entity, Brigitte Gypen, after its current premises, La Sala Rosa, in the coexistence center of the Las Nieves neighborhood, in Adeje, have become too small. The Adejero councilor encouraged other municipalities in the south of Tenerife to join the project and also invited the Tenerife Councilthrough its Social Action advisor, Águeda Fumero.

Along with Gypen, one of the most well-known people at the Foundation is Hermi Tacoronte, who serves as volunteer coordinator at the entity. Committed and sensitive, Tacoronte cannot avoid being excited when the siren of one of the truck’s trucks sounds. Firefighters Volunteers from Adeje as soon as the walk begins.

According to Tacoronte, La Sala Rosa has become too small and the president of the institution proposed the project for a new venue to the Adeje City Council. And she clarifies that the mayor has already promised to transfer land so that it can be built.

Also at the event were the mayors of Arona, Fátima Lemes; Guía de Isora, Ana Dorta, and Granadilla de Abona, Jénnifer Miranda, among other councilors and councillors. Brigitte Gypen recalled that, “without our volunteers, we are nothing.” Gypen, a Belgian who has lived in Tenerife for many years, reminded the thousands of participants of the importance of early detection of cancer, through periodic check-ups or self-detection. She encouraged men and women who suffer from some oncological pathology to become aware that “you are not alone; and less today”.

The Race for Life began 19 years ago. Rodríguez Fraga explained that it is not an activity that lasts one day, but that the project is reflected in the work throughout the year. He sent a message to women diagnosed with cancer and their families: “we live in a caring society.” But he also clarified that “more resources are needed”, both materials and personnel and investment to offer better assistance in the face of a reality that increasingly affects younger people. He pointed out that “we need support” in circumstances in which early diagnosis is very important.

The Councilor for Social Action also highlighted the work carried out by the Foundation’s volunteers. One of them is Sofía, a native of Pontevedra and a resident of Arona. Five years ago she had cancer and now she must undergo regular follow-up. She explains that the entity helps patients on a psychological level, since the exchange of feelings and experiences serves those who face the pathology. She highly appreciates that the entity offers items such as new bras for free. After visiting La Sala Rosa as a patient, Sofía indicates that “the feeling of being able to help and that women do not feel alone is very positive.”

He comments that different activities are carried out at the headquarters, such as crafts, which contribute to meeting patients and carrying out work that also raises funds. “It becomes another family,” explains this Galician woman.

Sofia also involved her friend María. The latter experienced cancer closely, as her parents suffered from it. She comments that she comes to collaborate in whatever is needed, “because no one is free from suffering from the disease.” This year, her job consisted of writing on the bibs the name of the person or people she runs for. “I run for Isa.” So she prays in those of Carlos, Yurena and her children. “We came to spend the day, to enjoy the activities as a family and to collaborate with the association,” says the woman. They explain that Isa is a friend who has already overcome the disease and is in the phase of monitoring the indicators.

On this occasion, the motto that could be read on the Foundation’s t-shirts was Love for life. Alicia took the tour for the second year. She is part of a group from the parish of Nuestra Señora del Buen Viaje, in Icod El Alto, in Los Realejos. They went to Costa Adeje on a bus. Alicia walks for a 53-year-old brother-in-law who has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy, as well as one of his sisters-in-law. “There are bad times, especially when they tell you,” she points out.

Cristina is Belgian, lives in Adeje and collaborates as an advisor to the entity led by her compatriot Brigitte. She remembers that “many people need help, for example to buy a new bra, a headscarf or micropigmentation on the chest.” But she repeats that psychological support is very important.

He joined the Foundation about six years ago. Both of her breasts have been removed. She also had a tumor on her face and another on her abdomen. But she remains very positive. She points out that that “is the most important thing, because, if not, you will sink.”

After finishing the event, Brigitte Gypen stated that she was very happy. “We like to reach more and more people, because that way more money is raised, but today was something extraordinary,” she commented. She stressed that the entity’s volunteerism is “very large and very united, and that is seen in the results” of the events.