Organising 100% charitable sports events in the Costa Daurada: this is the goal of SOSCIATHLON, a social-support-through-sport association born in 2014, that carries ou tits activities in Pineda of Vila-seca, Salou and Cambrils to raise funds to boost biomedical research and improve the quality of life of those affected by various diseases.

This year, SOSCIATHLON chose IDIBELL as the beneficiary institution of its central sporting event, the 4th edition of the Sosciathlon, which took place in La Pineda on Sunday, September 30th. This year, they chose to contribute to the advancement of research in breast cancer and intestinal inflammatory diseases. In order to get to know the researchers, their challenges and their projects, which aim to apply scientific knowledge to the daily treatment of patients, several representatives of the association visited the laboratories and the scientific and technical facilities of IDIBELL last June, hosted by Dr. Miguel Gil, Dr. Miguel Ángel Pujana and Dr. Mercè Martí.

The 4th Sosciathlon exceeded the expectations of the organizers: it was a succés in terms of participation and funds raised. In total, the event raised € 18,000 thanks to the registration fees of the athletes, the sales of the “0” numbers for atletes and the sponsorship of several companies in the area. Today, representatives of the association, accompanied by family members of patients suffering from the diseases to which the Sosciathlon of 2018 is dedicated, made the donations to the research groups of Dr. Miguel Gil and Dr. Jordi Guardiola, IDIBELL researchers and doctors from the Catalan Institute of Oncology and the Bellvitge University Hospital, respectively. Both professionals warmly appreciated and thanked the work and effort of the association, which will keep on reaching patients and disseminating the results of research in breast cancer and intestinal inflammatory diseases.

The 4th Sosciathlon took place in a festive atmosphere, and featured the traditional 10-kilometer charity race, open-sea swimming, a bicycle race, a 5 km walk and a Zumba session. The day, which also provided sports activities for the youngest ones, was rounded off by the Txaranga Band “Tocats de Vila-seca”, which played till the end of the party.