The Villavecchia Foundation organizes the first iteration of “El future existe” (“A future exists”) to give a voice to young cancer survivors.
The event will take place on November 8th in Casa SEAT and will be used to hear youth who have beat cancer during their childhood and are now reflecting over their future challenges.
FREE REGISTRATION- The investigation of child cancer advances and is survived by 82% of diagnosed patients, but this major victory of survivors comes with a diverse range of aftermaths. In order to inform society over this growing problem, the Villavecchia Foundation will organize the first free panel “El futuro existe” of young survivors of child cancer, that will take place Saturday, November 8th of 2025 in Casa SEAT in Barcelona. This is about a pioneering event, anchored by the young survivors helped by the Foundation in their childhood, young people who want to share their experience with society and reflect on the challenges that they will have to face once they have overcome the illness.
The event will be presented by digital communicator Maria Bassegoda, a survivor of child cancer, and will count on the participation of professionals, families, and the youth who will discuss about the transition from hospital life to quotidian life, social and emotional support, and the resources necessary to guarantee a better life post-cancer.
Three views on life post-cancer
The day will open with a welcome by Dr. Núria Pardo, president of the Villavecchia Foundation, and Dr. Josep Mª Borràs, Plan Director of the Oncology of Cataluña, followed by the presentation “Now what? A future exists”, led by psycho-oncologist Marta Pérez, that will include three separate roundtable discussions.
The first roundtable, made up by medical professionals and assistants, discussed the challenges of patients going from an intensive medical care to a more relaxed one, the transition to the adult medical system, and the resources needed to avoid feelings of being “lost” post-treatment. Among the participants are Mari Carmen Molera, coordinator of the SEGUIM of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu unit; Dr. Lucas Moreno, director of the Área de Oncología y Hematología Pediátrica of Hospital Vall d’Hebron; Dr. Xoan Gonzalez Rioja, director of Pediatric Services at Hospital de la Santa Cruz and San Pablo; and Arantxa De Lara, assistant to the Villavecchia Foundation.
The second roundtable will include the families of children and youth who have suffered from a form of cancer, focusing on the realities of life, living at home, the period post-treatment, how family structure is reconstructed, and the needs that have come up since, as well as the learned lessons from what they’ve lived through.
The third roundtable, made up by youth who have beat cancer alongside its after-effects, will give voice to four young protagonists—in this case, Paula, Ona, Victor, and Anna—to talk about what adolescence has confronted them with and adulthood after cancer, as well as the world of academics and their entering it in this new stage of life.
Innovation and the future: the Next Living Zone project
During the tail-end of the day there will be a presentation on the Next Living Zone project, in collaboration with the Villavecchia Foundation and Aimentia HealthTech, with the objective of creating a virtual space for therapeutic care for adolescent survivors going through the aftermath of child cancer.
The final act of the day will be led by singer Àlex Pérez, who will offer a special performance to close the event full of emotion, reflection, and hope.
Key details about the event
Date: Saturday, November 8th of 2025
Place: Casa SEAT (Pg. de Gracia, 109 - Barcelona)
Time: from 9 AM to 2 PM
