In its Central Services, the Eurocaja Rural Foundation presented details of the “Solidarity Race Against ALS”, an initiative aimed at raising awareness in the community and raising funds to provide research and assistance to patients and families.
The five beneficiaries of this edition will be Adelante CLM, ADELA Madrid, ELA Castilla y León, ADELA Comunidad Valenciana and ELA Region of Murcia, all located in the area of action where Eurocaja Rural operates. José Jiménez Aroca, president of ADELA Comunidad Valenciana, spoke on their behalf and thanked the organization for another year for this sports-solidarity project and the visibility it provides. Likewise, he gave detailed information about the disease and the demands made by associations and those affected by ALS. That meant “the disease affects 4,000 people in Spain. 20% of them are congenital and the rest are sporadic, meaning anyone can suffer from this disease of unknown origin, which was first diagnosed 150 years ago. There is no cure today, though.” It is a treatment that requires maintenance and is costly. That’s why we are calling until the disease is cured or becomes chronic, at least we can cover the cost. Until that comes, we are doing projects such as the project of the Eurocaja Rural Foundation. We help associations run our programs so that the quality of life of those affected reaches the best possible level.
The event was presented by Julián Cano, director and presenter of CMM’s “Héroes Anónimos” program, and Esther Portillo, affected by ALS and ambassador of the Solidarity Race, who explained in detail the features of this new edition and the need for projects for this program. Provide visibility and direct support in the fight against ALS.
President of the Eurocaja Rural Foundation: “Every step against ALS counts. I am sure that with everyone’s help, we can have more tools and resources to fight it at every edition”
In his speech, Javier López Martín, president of the Eurocaja Rural Foundation, stated that this initiative reaffirms Eurocaja Rural and its Foundation’s commitment to charitable causes by “contributing the grain of sand so that these ALS patients can have a full and autonomous life.” Of course, a treatment that protects them and allows them to live a life like the rest of society.
He also emphasized that October 1 “will be an important day, a day of family and solidarity” and that, above all, “we must always keep the fire of effort to fight this disease alive.” Quoting Juan Ramón Amores, ” “It is not the years that matter, but the life of the years.” I believe it is important to know that these patients must live happily every day with their work, their family, their hobbies. We are all on this path.”
Finally, he thanked the sponsors, Public Administrations, beneficiary organizations and State Security Forces and Bodies for their support, cooperation and participation in this initiative. “As president of this organization, it is a privilege to have your support in the fight against ALS. All that remains is for each of us here, our families and friends, to sign up to break the four thousand person barrier. I hope it will be successful.”
Toledo City Council and JCCM reviews
Rubén Lozano, Toledo City Council councilor responsible for Tajo River, Environment and Sport, underlined this initiative’s important commitment to solidarity and sport. In this sense, he said, “We must fight this disease, and there is no activity in life that is linked to the fight as much as sports. Organizing such an event is difficult, requires a lot of effort and requires adding synergy.” This race is being consolidated and hopefully on day 1 at least 4,000 people affected by ALS in Spain will participate in this test in person or virtually and contribute their grains of sand so that soon we too can achieve this. Let there be a solution that will help us, so that everyone can have more hope.
Finally, Francisco José Armenta Menéndez, General Director of JCCM Disability, noted the extensive history of this test, which has reached its eleventh edition: “This means that we must inevitably give a positive reading, because this is a phenomenon that has already been consolidated in 2007. Those who run and those of us who have run knows that events are repeated only when you are treated well and organized very well, so I believe that this is the formula that the Eurocaja Rural Foundation applies and therefore this success is achieved year after year”. He also recognized the sensitive and supportive side of the Eurocaja Rural Foundation since last January, when the regional government awarded the Foundation the Third Sector Incentive award for its development of actions such as the Solidarity Race.
This presentation event was attended by José Jiménez, president of ADELA Comunidad Valenciana; David Aroca, Managing Director of ADELANTE CLM; Rosa María García, Director of Communications, and Rosa María Sanz, director of ADELA MADRID; Board member and social worker of ELA CASTILLA Y LEÓN, Fernando Santos and María Martin respectively; Ely Motellón, president of the ELA REGION OF MURCIA; as well as those responsible for the sponsoring companies, such as Álvaro de Salas Lasagabaster, Director of Financial Services at MINSAIT, María José Sáez Pérez, Director of EULEN GROUP Regional Area CLM. The event was also attended by officials from State Security Forces and Institutions, such as Toledo Local Police Chief, Toledo Local Police Chief Antonio Sánchez-Palencia de Frutos, Toledo Local Police Chief José Luís Martín Mora. National Police of Castilla-La Mancha, Regional Chief of Operations Javier Pérez Castillo, Chief Provincial Commissioner Eloy Román López, General Chief of the 2nd District of the Civil Guard Carlos Julio San Román Plaza, Francisco Javier Cortés Méndez, or Chief of the Secretariat, Lieutenant Colonel Alejandro Rodrigo Fernández.
Race details
The Solidarity Race Against ALS will be held in Toledo on Sunday, October 1, and virtually from September 25 to October 10 through social networks with the hashtag #CarreraSolidariaFundaciónECR.
This version will include a fully accessible route and new reward categories for people with disabilities, as well as new features that will make it more attractive and inclusive. Additionally, participants will wear newly designed T-shirts featuring the distinctive green ribbon against ALS, designed by JOMA, which is participating in this initiative as a technical sponsor.
The race consists of two distances, 10 and 5KM, and children’s races suitable for all ages.
Once again this year, this test of solidarity was carried out in cooperation with the Toledo City Council and the Municipal Sports Board, as well as collaborating companies and organizations interested in ensuring the greening of the city.
Registrations for the in-person race can be made through the website until September 28 (14.00), and for the virtual race until October 1 (12.00). https://eurocajarural.fun/carrera