Currently, cancer research in Spain receives little funding compared to other European or international countries. As a result, young researchers go abroad in search of professional opportunities and rarely return due to a lack of resources and support.
Functional Precision Medicine: A Booming Field in Oncology Research
In an interview with Dr. César Serrano, head of the Sarcoma Translational Research Group at VHIO, when asked about the future of cancer research, he spoke about precision medicine:
Dr. Tabernero, director of the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology in Barcelona, believes that increased state funding for oncology research is essential:
“Cancer is a major global problem that affects us all, so we must collaborate. Although the chances of recovery are increasing, the incidence rates—that is, the number of cancer cases—will rise in the coming years.” If we want a future without cancer, to make it a chronic condition, and for it to cease being one of the leading causes of death, we must invest more and better in research.
Dr. Arkaitz Carracedo, a researcher at CIC BioGUNE in the Basque Country and winner of the 7th FERO Grant, tells us that the current funding is insufficient:
“There are national funds we can access, but they lack a strategy. What Spain needs is a serious financial commitment that transcends political affiliations, with a long-term vision that doesn’t end with a change of government.”
In addition to institutional support, philanthropy and foundations like FERO must enable all of society to align in this fight, so we can all support the best research.
Dr. Direna Alonso, a researcher at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Barcelona, recently arrived in Barcelona to lead her own research group thanks to funding from our 2nd FERO-ASEICA Grant.
“In the United States, when you write a research project, they give you enough money so you can stop writing projects and dedicate yourself to science. Here, in Spain, you have to keep submitting projects to get the funding you need from different sources.”
However, beyond the financial resources to fund research projects and the improvable working conditions, Spain has made great strides in cancer research. One reason may be the support among researchers, as Dr. Alonso observes:
“In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that in Spain there’s a very strong collaborative environment among research groups, and I like that. It gives me a lot of energy and optimism that things will work out.”
One of FERO’s objectives is precisely that: to create a community of leading researchers who collaborate and build the knowledge and collaboration networks that will drive us forward.
The FERO Foundation: 21 Years Promoting Oncology Research
The FERO Foundation’s mission is to promote translational oncology research in Spain to better understand the disease: how to prevent, diagnose, and treat it more effectively.
To achieve this, one of the FERO Foundation’s fundamental actions is the awarding of FERO Grants, aid aimed at young researchers who, in most cases, have gone abroad and come here to set up their own laboratories. These grants provide them with the funding they need in the initial stages of their independent laboratory work to carry out their research projects.
Our founder, Dr. Baselga, was clear that supporting young researchers was key in this battle. For their innovative ideas, their different vision, and the daring nature of their proposals, which in many cases have opened new avenues for understanding, curing, and detecting the disease.
The FERO Foundation is currently a leader in oncology research funding. And the numbers speak for themselves. Since the Foundation’s inception in 2001, we have invested over 25 million euros in oncology research, funded 53 translational research projects, awarded 42 grants to young researchers (an investment of 2.9 million euros), collaborated with more than 20 research centers, and promoted two leading research centers: the Breast Cancer Center at Vall d’Hebron Hospital and the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology, both in Barcelona.
And in 2021 alone, 36 scientific articles were published, and we had 379 press appearances. If you want to learn more about FERO’s achievements in 2021, click here.
