Lanzarote has had since this Friday a new association that is born from a personal experience and the will to turn it into an opportunity to help others. Contigo Siempre Cerca, promoted and presided over by Lola Lasso, presents itself as a space for accompaniment, listening, and guidance for cancer patients and families living with rare diseases.
The official presentation, which took place on Thursday afternoon with great success in terms of attendance, was attended by the Minister of Social Welfare of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Marci Acuña; the mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León; and the cancer patient Almudena Rodríguez, who did not hesitate to accompany Lola Lasso in the birth of this social initiative.
The new association arises from direct knowledge of a reality that profoundly affects those who receive a diagnosis and their closest circle. Lola Lasso, a cancer and rare disease survivor, and linked to volunteering and leadership of organizations supporting cancer patients, has wanted to transform her own experience into a project that contributes to enabling other people to face similar situations feeling accompanied.
“I know what it’s like to receive the news and have your life change in a minute. I know what it’s like to sit in a room with a hundred questions and no one to ask them. I know what fear is and what it’s like to feel far from everything living on an island,” she shared during her speech.
From that experience, Contigo Siempre Cerca is born, with the purpose of offering closeness and support to those going through especially difficult times, but also of contributing to making the reality of rare diseases visible and demanding the importance of continuing to advance in research.
“I didn’t create this association because of what happened to me, but because of what I learned from what happened to me,” stated Lasso, thus summarizing the spirit of an initiative that puts people at the center and also recognizes the fundamental role of healthcare professionals and support networks.
A commitment to people
During the event, held at the Sociedad Democracia, the Minister of Social Welfare of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Marci Acuña, highlighted Lola Lasso’s personal commitment and her ability to transform a difficult life experience into an initiative at the service of others.
“Lola represents the best of our society: people who, even going through their own difficulties, find the strength and generosity to help those around them. Contigo Siempre Cerca is born from that sensitivity and from an authentic commitment to people. Lanzarote gains an association that comes to add, to accompany, and to respond to a need as important as feeling heard and understood,” highlighted the counselor.
In the same vein, the mayor of Arrecife, Yonathan de León, wanted to publicly recognize and thank Lola Lasso's involvement and commitment to those most in need. Likewise, he conveyed the support of the Arrecife City Council for this new association, assuring that “we will always be with you,” in a nod to the entity's name.
For her part, Almudena Rodríguez shared her perspective as an oncology patient and recalled how her life changed after contacting Lola. “She listened to me and I felt that finally someone understood my fear,” she recalled during her speech, especially highlighting the value of companionship and the peace of mind of knowing that she could count on someone who understood what she was going through.
The association thus begins its journey with the aim of becoming a meeting point and support for patients and families, and contributing so that no one has to face illness alone.
“Fear is free, but here we are to share it and transform it into hope,” expressed Lola Lasso, leaving a message that summarizes the reason for being of Contigo Siempre Cerca: to remember that, even in the most difficult moments, having someone by your side can make a difference.
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