On 17 December, Javier García, President of the Friends of Manuel Barros Association, visited the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) to present the funds raised through solidarity initiatives promoted by the association during 2024 and 2025.
The Friends of Manuel Barros Association was founded in tribute to Manuel Barros, a resident of Pola de Lena (Asturias), who was diagnosed with biliary tract cancer and, following his diagnosis, decided that his experience could help others affected by this disease. Manuel Barros was deeply connected to sport and widely known in his local community.
Following his passing in March 2024, friends, colleagues and family members came together to create the association to raise funds through physical and sporting activities. This was many of them inspired by initiatives Manuel Barros himself organised.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, the association promoted solidarity actions. These included a San Silvestre race, a painting exhibition by artist Gadi Cano Fidalgo, and a legends basketball tournament featuring Pola de Lena and Real Madrid.
These activities form part of the project “Minutes Against Cancer”, with the aim of donating all proceeds to research into biliary and endocrine tumours at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO).
“We organised a basketball tournament with famous legends, and I’m sure Manuel would have loved it. It was very emotional, and we hope to continue supporting research every year through our activities” explains Javier García.
Thanks to these initiatives, a total of €12,000 has been raised, which will be allocated in full to VHIO’s Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Endocrine Tumours Group, with the aim of continuing to advance research into this disease and contributing to the development of new treatments in the future.
The association President presented the cheque to Dr. Jaume Capdevila, oncologist at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. He is Head of the Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Endocrine Tumours Group at VHIO. He conveyed the wishes of Manuel Barros and all those who are now part of the association.
Dr. Capdevila stated: “On behalf of the entire team, I would like to thank you for this gesture and for everything you have done.” We will continue our research and hope to share the progress we are making with you very soon”.
The Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic and Endocrine Tumours Group develops molecular therapies for gastrointestinal (GI) neoplasms. The team leads pioneering research and early-phase clinical trials aimed at identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets to accelerate precision oncology for patients with biliary tract, pancreatic, gastric and neuroendocrine cancers, among others.
Following the cheque presentation, Javier García visited VHIO’s facilities and saw first-hand the laboratories and the center’s main research advances.
Thank you very much to the Friends of Manuel Barros Association for your generosity, dedication and trust.
