Walking clogs against cancer |Today

NATALIA REIGADAS Badajoz

Adriana's cancer caused her to lose the vision in one eye, but this girl did not stop smiling this Wednesday as she posed with her new shoes, ideal clogs for walking around the hospital, but with more joy because they are colorful and one of the drawings she has done herself. They are clogs to walk together against cancer.

The initiative in which Adriana has participated, along with 12 other children from Extremadura who are cancer patients, is called 'You don't walk alone' and it is from the Extremadura Cancer Association (AOEX). This entity organizes many activities for sick children. In one of them, a creative workshop, some very striking drawings emerged and they decided to take advantage of them to illustrate clogs, since this type of footwear is widely used by health workers and also by patients.

"Why clogs? Because it symbolizes people who spend a lot of time in the hospital and require a normalized, more welcoming environment," explained the president of AOEX, Isabel Rolán, yesterday.

The 'You don't walk alone' clogs were presented this Wednesday at the Siglo XXI building at a gala that was supported by the mayor of Badajoz, Ignacio Gragera, the vice president of the Badajoz Provincial Council, Ricardo Cabezas and the president of the Board, Guillermo Fernández Vara, who could not attend but sent a video showing his support.

To create the clogs, the association has had the support of the company Grupo Jaraelsa from Extremadura. These are Dian brand clogs and they will be distributed by hospitals throughout Spain to publicize the initiative. The funds raised will be used to continue launching initiatives in favor of cancer patients.

The most emotional moment of the gala was the delivery of the clogs to the little artists who illustrated them. On the shoes, for example, there is a drawing of Adriana, who is herself with her brother, Lucas. His mother, Vanesa Monroy Montero, is very proud. "She has been very excited," says this mother, who adds that this type of project helps to cope with the consequences of the disease. "Whoever touches something like this, support him a lot," he concludes.

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Soon these clogs will be on sale so that anyone can step with strength and optimism with Adriana and her brother, or with the rocket painted by Mario, Alejandra's unicorn cloud, Alma's watch or the clown created by Rubén .

As for Diego, 10, he chose to paint a character from the video game 'Among Us', which he likes "a lot, everyone is playing it right now." "The shoes are very cool, I love them," explained this minor after seeing his creation. He was very happy, because of the clogs, and because they don't have to go to the hospital much anymore.

Alicia Ruiz was also very happy yesterday. In the clogs there are two drawings of her daughter Alicia of her, some princesses and a unicorn. This mother recognized that the project is like an escape route for the minors, so they don't think about the disease or the treatment. "The simple fact of drawing, expressing her feelings and feeling important, here with her shoes, she is delighted."

The gala was presented by the communicator Soledad Segura, who is a former cancer patient and recognized that when you are sick, certain gestures help a lot, for example those of the AOEX volunteers, "thanks to them you are a little better going through this," he said fondly.

One of the most emotional moments was carried out by the mayor of Badajoz. Gragera recalled a cancer-stricken family member who encouraged his family "instead," he recalled, "of us encouraging him." The councilor was so moved that he could not continue speaking and received a hearty applause from the public. "We have all suffered this scourge and we must lend each other a hand," he said.

The gala ended with the singer and health worker Manuel Muñoz dedicating a letter to the children who had designed the clogs.