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Yesterday, Monday 6 May, we celebrated the 14th edition of the People in Red Solidarity Gala at the MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia). The event brought together 700 people, sponsoring companies, institutions and celebrities from the social, cultural and sporting worlds of the country with the same goal: to fight against infectious diseases. Among the guests, the presence of the actors and actresses Marc and Aina Clotet, Natalia Sánchez, Santi Vaca, Eric Masip, the singers Rozalén, Joan Manuel Serrat, Miki Nuñez, Suu Ventura, the athletes Marc-André ter Stegen, Marc Bartra, Jordi Villacampa, Àlex Corretja, the content creators Dulceida, Marta Diaz, Jessica Goicoechea, prestigious journalists Jordi Basté, Gerard Romero, Marc Giró, Santi Villas and personalities from the business sector John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA at the Mobile World Congress, Wayne Griffiths, CEO of Seat and CUPRA, Emilio Rousaud, founder and CEO of Factor Energia.
Our fight against infectious diseases
At this time infectious diseases account for 35% of deaths in the world and are also the leading cause of death for children and young people. For this reason, People in Red brings together people and organizations year after year who join the fight led by Dr. Bonaventura Clotet against infections; including HIV, COVID-19, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), forgotten diseases, serious bacterial infections and infections in immunocompromised patients.
The Fura dels Baus surprises during the aperitif
This edition had some surprises, including the performance of La Fura dels Baus who built a monumental human net 30 meters high with a crane where more than 40 actors performed during the aperitif on the terrace-mirador from the Barcelona Theater Institute. The spectacular action was applauded by the attendees.
Andreu Buenafuente and Llum Barrera, presenters of the Solidarity Gala
One more edition of People in Red enjoyed the complicity of Andreu Buenafuente who presented the event with Llum Barrera under the direction of El Terrat (The Mediapro Studio).
Surprise performance
The music band Stay Homas, which gained popularity during the confinement of the COVID-19, made a surprise appearance on stage when Buenafuente was referring to the research that the Fight Infections Foundation is carrying out to cope to persistent COVID. This became, without a doubt, one of the most emotional moments of this year’s Solidarity Gala.
Gastronomy with a Michelin star
Nandu Jubany, chef with a Michelin star, together with his Jubany Events team, made the public enjoy an incomparable gastronomic experience.
Rozalén joins the fight
After dinner, the singer Rozalén put an end to the solidarity night with a performance that left the audience speechless with the interpretation of four songs, among them the famous “Comiéndote a besos” which refers precisely to still valid stigma of patients with HIV. Rozalén, who has accumulated four gold records, two platinum, a Goya, the 2021 National Current Music Award and three nominations for the Latin Grammys, left the oval room surrendered at her feet.
Finally, Fede Sardà and Manel Vehí entertained the audience with excellent music and cocktails, respectively.
Research against infections
The main objective of the People in Red Solidarity Gala is to inform and raise awareness about the challenges that society is currently facing to combat infectious diseases, as well as to raise funds for the research of the Fight Infections Foundation and IrsiCaixa Research Institute. This seed money is intended to strengthen projects that lead the research teams of the different research areas. This year the Foundation has led a study published in The Lancet which concludes that Europe is facing a historic high in rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). At the same time, one of the researches on persistent COVID, which determines that 7% of patients suffering from this disease recover, has been debated in the United States Congress. A project has also been started to improve the care of people newly diagnosed with HIV, the BENVIHNGUDES, a unit specialized in immunocompromised patients has been created and progress has been made with schistosomiasis screenings among the population from sub-Saharan Africa resident in Catalonia and also the traveler.
Dr. Bonaventura Clotet, president of the Fight Infections Foundation, director of IrsiCaixa and host of the event, commented in his speech: “In the current context in which we know what it is to face a global pandemic, our research has acquired even greater importance. We are committed to using all our resources and knowledge to identify treatments that can cover possible new pandemics that appear in the future. In addition, we are collaborating closely with other international organizations and agencies to coordinate efforts and maximize the impact of our interventions.”
Who made the People in Red possible
There are many people and companies that collaborate with the People in Red Solidarity Gala to promote pioneering research in the field of infectious diseases. CUPRA, MAC, Eurofirms, Fundació La Caixa, Grifols, Osborne Clarke, Mesoestetic and MediaPro are some of the companies that make this charity event possible.
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