Cecília Bofarull (1976-2022), a graphic designer and painter, was a metastatic breast cancer patient and author of the book “Me quiero vivir”, published in 2019 by Acantilado publishing house. Her purpose was to dedicate the proceeds from its sale to oncology research through the FERO Foundation.
On January 14, 2013, Cecília discovered she had a tumor in her breast. That same day, she donated 20 euros to oncology research and began a new 9-year battle that ended in early 2022.
“Me quiero vivir” is the book that tells the story of living with metastatic breast cancer for 366 days. 112 pages reflect her most intimate experiences as a personal diary through watercolor stains and texts. Each page reflects her thoughts and feelings about the disease optimistically, yet without straying from reality, leaving us with a clear message: attitude is the most important thing.
“It all started with a stain. Apparently, it was just a physical stain, everything changed, my life changed. One night among watercolors, I made a colored stain, observed it, found it beautiful, and thought its spontaneous and almost whimsical shape represented the unpredictability of life, of my life. Over time, the stains have evolved, and my watercolors are no longer simple random shapes, but illustrate moments and feelings of my daily life. Art saves me.”
Cecilia Bofarull
As Dr. Josep Baselga points out in the book’s prologue, Cecília Bofarull decided to face the disease by helping others. “Me quiero vivir” is a great example of this, serving simultaneously as a tool for inspiration, awareness, and fundraising to invest in oncology research.
Belén Tobalina (La Razón) highlights Cecília’s humor in the face of cancer and how easy it is to empathize with her feelings through the drawn stains.
Ana Rivera Magaña (Diari de Tarragona) recommends the book to remember what is truly important and to learn to live and see life through Cecília’s colors.
For more information about the author Cecília Bofarull and to join the fight against cancer, you can purchase the book via this link.
“We all have the right to cry, to feel fear or anger, but afterwards, we must get up. Positive energy depends only on you.”
Cecilia Bofarull
FERO Foundation Oncology Research Projects
The proceeds from the book “Me quiero vivir” are distributed among two of the FERO Foundation’s major current breast cancer research projects:
Treatment of advanced breast cancer using adoptive transfer of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS Project), led by Dr. Aleix Prat and Dr. Manuel Juan, researchers at Hospital Clínic (Barcelona).
The research studies the application of advanced breast cancer treatment with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILS), which would involve, for the first time, the use of immunotherapy for this type of tumor.
More information about the project here.
Advanced Molecular Diagnostic Program (DIAMAV), led by Dr. Josep Tabernero, Director of VHIO and Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital.
The program focuses on the molecular characterization of cancer patients’ tumors, identifying key molecular alterations in the development of different tumors and allowing the best targeted therapy options to be offered.
More information about the project here.
Learn more about FERO Grants at https://ferocancer.org/investigadores/.
