Benidorm commemorates Breast Cancer Day with Anémona and joins its campaign to improve the lives of those affected

Anémona Marina Baixa, the Self-Help Group for Women with Breast and Gynecological Cancer in Benidorm and other municipalities in the region, called for more respectful and individualized treatments, more screening, and preventative campaigns to improve the quality of life of women suffering from this disease this afternoon during the reading of the 2025 Manifesto prepared by the Spanish Federation of Breast Cancer (Fecma) on the occasion of International Breast Cancer Day, which is commemorated on October 19. Benidorm Yacht Club was the setting for the commemorative events for this anniversary, which lasted throughout the morning and also combined sport and recognition.

The Mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, supported the president of Anémona Marina Baixa, María Botella, and all the members of the organization in this commemoration, along with the Councilor for Equality, Ángela Zaragozí; other members of the Municipal Corporation; and the regional representative Mario Villar; as well as many neighbors, friends, and acquaintances who also wanted to show their support for this cause.

Before the official event, the "100 Solidarity SUMA Strokes Against Breast Cancer - SUMA Challenges for Equality" challenge was also held at the Yacht Club and Benidorm Bay. The rowers from the Alicante Regatta Club won, while the local team, formed by Anémona, finished in second place.

Afterwards, a floral offering to the Virgin of Carmen in memory of the women who have lost their lives to breast cancer marked the beginning of this year's commemorative event, which, for the first time, organised a short story competition among 4th-year secondary school students to introduce young people to this disease and raise awareness about it from an early age.

Sofía Jiménez Robles, a student from Nuestra Señora de los Dolores School, was the winner of this contest with her short story entitled "The Great Gifts of Life." Silvia Díaz Berenguer and Alba Romain Jordán, from Lope de Vega School and Beatriu Fajardo Secondary School in Mendoza, received second and third prizes, respectively, for their texts titled "The White Envelope" and "To Bloom Without Petals." The three young women read their works to the emotional acclaim of friends, family, and cancer survivors, all of whom received warm applause from the audience.

Beatriz Aura, the teacher and current principal of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores School, was chosen this year by Anémona to read the 2025 Manifesto, in which Fecma emphasizes that as a federation, "we work to ensure that research, innovation, and early detection are a priority in our National Health System," for having "facilitated better treatments and a better quality of life" for patients.

They also called attention to women with metastatic breast cancer, who "despite the difficult path they face, do not give up their passion for life and trust that research will define their future and make better control of the disease possible," emphasising that "the risks of metastasis pose new and important challenges for oncological care and research."

They also demanded that there be no limitations or discrimination in early detection practices, diagnoses, or treatments; that the portfolio of services be uniform across all autonomous communities; and that early detection programs be publicly managed.

After reading the manifesto, María Botella, president of Anémona, spoke to thank the group for the support and assistance it receives from the City Council and other public and private institutions in all the actions carried out throughout the year to raise awareness and funds for therapeutic actions and research into this disease. He also encouraged the public to purchase this year's T-shirts for the Solidarity March, which will take place next Sunday, October 26th, starting at 10:00 a.m. from the Plaza de Sant'Eustache de España.

Mayor Toni Pérez closed the event, once again expressing his support and admiration for the Anémona members, highlighting their daily work in the fight against this disease. "You embody the phrase 'science with conscience' better than anyone," said the mayor, who also encouraged them to never cease their work, which does so much good for many women when facing a cancer diagnosis."