AVANTE returns, an initiative from Lanzarote that improves the lives of cancer patients

Fundación Líneas Romero, Cabildo de Lanzarote and the Directorate of the Health Area of Lanzarote, have presented this Tuesday the second edition of Project AVANTE, a pioneering initiative on the island that aims to improve the emotional and social well-being of people undergoing oncological treatment and those who accompany them. 

The event was attended by the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Marci Acuña; the director of the Lanzarote Health Area, Erasmo Manuel García de León, and the president of the Líneas Romero Foundation, Federico Romero. In addition, several users of the program were present and, alongside them, real testimonials were shown through a video, highlighting the success of the previous edition. 

The president of the Líneas Romero Foundation, Federico Romero, focused on the project's philosophy: “After the success of the first edition, we want people undergoing oncological treatment to be aware of this initiative and be able to benefit. AVANTE creates spaces for meeting, mutual support, and recovery of normality through shared experiences. Health is not limited to the consultation. It is also woven in community, with mutual support, active listening, and spaces where each person can feel free to be who they are.”

During his speech, the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, highlighted that “from the Cabildo we continue to bet on projects that put people at the center of social and health care. AVANTE demonstrates that emotional support and the creation of support networks are fundamental during an oncological process”. “This initiative,” added Acuña, “provides well-being and support to the participating individuals, while helping to raise awareness of the importance of social and emotional support during the oncological process”. 

Likewise, the counselor presented the Diver badge to the president of the Líneas Romero Foundation "for being an entity with values and integrated into the Insular Strategy for Accessibility and Inclusion of the Cabildo of Lanzarote". 

For his part, the director of the Lanzarote Health Area, Erasmo García, highlighted the work carried out by the AVANTE Project, “a project that understands health in an integral way, encompassing physical, emotional, and social well-being”. He also pointed out “its contribution to society and community health by promoting healthy lifestyle habits and accompanying people going through illness processes, in their care and recovery”.

Real and contrasted results 

The AVANTE Project seeks to reduce the social isolation of cancer patients through recreational, cultural, and social activities, in addition to promoting social awareness about the disease and fostering the autonomy of participants. Through creative workshops, excursions, and gatherings in natural settings, the initiative generates support networks that reinforce self-esteem and emotional well-being. 

The first edition of the project, developed in 2025, obtained very positive results: 100% of the participants assured having improved their emotional well-being and 90% stated feeling more accompanied in their process. In total, six creative-therapeutic workshops were carried out, in addition to training and awareness-raising actions, reaching thousands of people through social networks. 

Among the activities carried out were workshops on painting, macramé, clay, Canarian rosette, or fan design, as well as talks on prevention and nutrition. In addition, measures were promoted to reduce the digital divide, with the delivery of technological devices to patients. 

With this second edition, the AVANTE Project consolidates its commitment to transforming the way cancer is experienced in Lanzarote and La Graciosa, placing emotional well-being and social connection as fundamental pillars of the process. The activities will begin on May 18 with "The Secrets of Aloe," at the Aloe Plus Lanzarote Interpretation Center Museum. 

How to access the program 

Those interested can get in touch by calling 629-562225. In addition, informational posters will be placed in the Day Hospital and the Oncology and Radiotherapy consultations of the Doctor José Molina Orosa University Hospital in Arrecife.