Celebrated last Sunday, the Spanish Association against Cancer (AECC) organized its second annual Barcelona-based Run against Cancer to raise funds for its essential research initiatives aimed at solving cancer sooner and improving outcomes for patients suffering from this disease.
Importantly, AECC has funded several pioneering projects at VHIO as well as supported many of our researchers throughout their careers (see Marking World Cancer Research Day: a trio of VHIO recipients recognized at AECC’s Awards Ceremony for our most recent news on AECC and its latest Award recipients at VHIO).
This excellent fundraiser, sponsored by Aigües de Barcelona, also takes place at many other locations throughout Spain, and includes three different categories so that participants can select between a 10K race, 5K run or a gentler paced 2.5K.
Rising to the double challenge of successfully completing either the 5 or 10K dash, and promoting the importance of cancer research by mixing and mingling with fellow runners and the general public, all 6 of our competing Running for Research (R4R) scientists triumphed on both counts, with special mention here of Irene Rius’ performance during the 5K fundraiser. We are proud to announce that Irene, Graduate Student of our Growth Factors Group, and co-founder of VHIO’s R4R public outreach, finished in first place.
We also take this opportunity to congratulate VHIO runners Laia Foradada, Emanuela Greco, Elena Senís, and Isabel Huber, who went the 5K distance with equal agility and athletic grace! Fellow R4R co-founder, Daniel Massó, Research Scientist at VHIO’s spin-off company Peptomyc S.L., excelled once again by competing in the 10K and crossing the finish line comfortably placed.
Not only are our young research and running talents instantly recognizable in their VHIO R4R especially branded caps and t-shirts, they are accessible to the general public to talk about who we are, what we do at VHIO, as well as champion the value and importance of cancer science and society. Launched in 2017, our members compete in several events including half and full marathons throughout the year.
Further reflecting the enthusiasm of our younger faculty, R4R’s membership is on the rise – now counting a total of 19 researchers:
Current R4R Team and corresponding VHIO Group/affiliation:
- Silvia Diaz, Assistant to Josep Tabernero (VHIO´s Director)
Cellular Plasticity and Cancer Group (PI, María Abad):
- Emanuela Greco
- Elena Senís
Experimental Therapeutics Group (PI, Violeta Serra):
- Marta Castroviejo
- Alba Llop
- Mònica Sánchez
- Marta Palafox
Gene Expression & Cancer Group (PI, Joan Seoane):
- Esther Arroba
- Esther Bonfill
- Carlota Rubio
Growth Factors Group (PI, Joaquín Arribas):
- Beatriz Morancho
- Irene Rius Ruiz
Mouse Models of Cancer Therapies Group:
- Sandra Martínez
Stem Cells and Cancer Group:
- Estefania Cuesta
VHIO spin-off company Peptomyc S.L.:
- Marie-Eve Beaulieu
- Laia Foradada Felip
- Toni Jauset
- Daniel Massó Vallés
VHIO Laboratory Equipment Maintenance:
- Reinier Peñarroche
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