At 7:00 PM last Wednesday, the Agustín de la Hoz House of Culture, in Arrecife, hosted the presentation of the IX Short Story and Micro-story Competition of AFOL, Living with Cancer, organized by the Association of Oncohematological Families of Lanzarote (AFOL) on the occasion of World Cancer Day.
This annual competition invites young people and adults to send their stories to the association, being subsequently evaluated by a jury that rewards participation and the value of stories that, in many cases, reflect real experiences and, in others delve with great sensitivity into a necessary reflection on cancer in today's society.
The jury of this ninth edition was formed by Laura Freitas Pérez, Pedro Botella Torres and Víctor Bello Jiménez, who, before announcing the verdict, highlighted the difficulty of their decision due to the quality and emotional weight of the works presentedThe president of AFOL, Carmen Arrocha, was in charge of welcoming the attending public. During her speech, she especially thanked Ms. Rosario Foinquinos Mera, president of the Rotary Club of Lanzarote, District 222, reiterating her gratitude for the eight years of uninterrupted collaboration in this event, contributing not only the prizes, but also for her commitment to culture within the altruistic work that Rotary carries out on the island of LanzaroteLikewise, Carmen Arrocha thanked the valuable collaboration of the jury, as well as the participation of the authors, without whom the celebration of such an educational and emotional event would not be possible. Despite the lower participation registered this year, it was made clear that **the reality of cancer on the island continues to be difficult to assimilate and understand**, even with advances in research and prevention. Hence the need for the commitment of all of society to continue fighting, something that is reflected in these stories and micro-stories that are now part of our livesFrom AFOL the objective is maintained to offer a writing space where narration, expression of feelings, fears, laughter or helplessness have a place, allowing to explore that which inhabits our being or to look beyond imagination and creativity, when words do not always know how to say everything. Writing thus becomes a tool for reflection and strength in the face of illness
The importance of raising awareness among young people about the diversity of writing and its educational value was also emphasized, recalling that facing difficult topics prepares us not to discriminate in any area of life. For AFOL, the participation of all is always a success, as each story expresses a way of seeing life and reaches the heart directly.
The association also thanked the teaching staff of the island's IES for encouraging students to write and participate, as well as the Association against Metastatic Breast Cancer of Fuerteventura for its support in the dissemination and promotion of the competition. It was also reported that the book of the "IX Competition" will be published in both paper and digital format through the Lulú.com platformAfter the president's speech, the winners of this ninth edition were announced:
Youth Category
Second prize, endowed with 100 euros and diploma, for Hugo de León San Ginés, for the story She doesn't give up.
First prize, endowed with 200 euros and diploma, for Daiara María de León San Ginés, for the story It still blooms.
Adult Category:
Second prize, endowed with 200 euros and diploma, for Carla González Rodríguez, for The room with a view.
First prize, endowed with 400 euros and diploma, for Dácil Gracías Dévora, for The monster that came with the light.
The jury also awarded a special mention to Maymara Rodríguez Lozoya, who received a diploma for her story The one who never leftEach of the awardees read their work aloud, being highly applauded by the audience present. After the protocol photographs, the president of AFOL, Carmen Arrocha, closed the IX Short Story and Micro-story Contest of AFOL - Living with Cancer, noting the importance of the written word as a tool for awareness, support, and hope