Three Years of Aladina with Ukraine: A Journey of Solidarity and Hope
02/02/2025
On International Childhood Cancer Day, and as part of our #BandanaChallengeAladina campaign, we are thrilled to officially unveil The Aladina Home—a project we have long dreamed of and worked tirelessly to bring to life.
This will be Spain’s first dedicated daytime support center for children with cancer, a pioneering initiative in Europe. Located in Madrid’s Hortaleza district, it will span 4,000 m² of built space on a 15,000 m² plot, surrounded by green areas. The center will be completely free for all families, with a total cost of 15 million euros, fully funded by Fundación Aladina.
🌍 Visit the official project website: www.casaaladina.org
A Milestone in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer
For the past 19 years, Fundación Aladina has provided comprehensive support to thousands of children with cancer and their families across Spain. Now, with The Aladina Home, we are taking a bold new step forward—creating a home away from the hospital where children can disconnect, play, laugh, and bond with others who share their journey.
We also want families to find guidance, emotional support, and a strong sense of community, ensuring that no one faces this battle alone.
What Will The Aladina Home Offer?
This innovative center will meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of children with cancer and their families. It will feature:
✅ Animal-assisted therapy 🐶
✅ Therapeutic golf ⛳
✅ Specialized psychological care 🧠
✅ Tailored exercise programs 💪
✅ Cinema, theater, and creative arts workshops 🎭
✅ Aquatic therapy and rehabilitation in indoor and outdoor pools 🏊
✅ Weekend camps in cozy cabins 🏕️
✅ A therapeutic garden and eco-friendly vegetable patch 🌱
Additionally, while 80% of children with cancer survive, more than 60% face long-term health challenges. The Aladina Home will provide ongoing support for childhood cancer survivors, helping them navigate life beyond treatment.
A dedicated space will also offer grief support for families who have lost a child, ensuring they receive the care they need during such a difficult time.
Official Presentation with the Mayor of Madrid
This morning, we had the great honor of presenting The Aladina Home at Madrid’s City Hall, with the support of Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, who highlighted the profound impact this project will have on the city and the families who need it most.
Our announcement coincided with #BandanaChallengeAladina, the solidarity movement we launch each year to raise awareness of childhood cancer. During this campaign, thousands of people across Spain—from schools, hospitals, local governments, sports clubs, firefighters, police officers, and more—come together to show their support.
A Dream Becoming Reality
For us, The Aladina Home represents the culmination of 19 years of dedication to children with cancer and their families. Since Paco Arango founded Fundación Aladina, we have worked relentlessly to improve the lives of these brave children.
With a presence in 22 public hospitals, over 30,000 committed donors, and 18 million euros invested in projects since 2008, we have shown that with love, laughter, and a little bit of magic, anything is possible.
💛 Thank you to everyone who is making this dream come true.
