The Prince and Princess of Asturias at the University of Deusto

Following the opening of this ceremony by the Mayor and the AECC Chairman, and after an opening speech given by the Vice-Chairman of the AECC and its Scientific Foundation Isabel Oriol, the Oncological Research Grants were awarded. This year, research project grants were awarded to Jaume Mora, from San Juan de Dios Hospital, José María Rojas Cabañeros, from the Francisco X Microbiology National Centre, Real Arribas, from the National Centre for Oncological Research, Antonio Castells from the Digestive Oncology Clinical Hospital and Ana C. Carrera Ramírez, from the National Centre for Biotechnology. With regard to Grants/Contract, recipients of these grants included Anna Merlos, fromIRB in Barcelona, Ana Belén Herrero, from CIC in Salamanca, Natalia Dave, from IMIM in Barcelona, Beatriz Pérez Villamil, Rubén Bartolomé, from CIB in Madrid, Judit Anido, from Vall d?Hebron Hospital, and María Villa Morales, from the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Then, a number of representatives of the public sphere were also acknowledged for their fight against cancer. This year, special tribute was paid to Paco Fernández Ochoa, which was accepted on his behalf by his widow M Jesús Vargas, and Sandra Ybarra, model and TV presenter, cancer patient, who has made laudable efforts to support the fight against cancer for several years. Finally, the Health Minister made a speech, followed by a brief speech by the Prince, who brought this ceremony to a close. Before leaving the University, the Prince and Princess, together with the recipients of awards, sponsors and the guests of honour were invited to a cocktail reception in the cloister of the University of Deusto, next to the Ceremonial Hall.