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For every point scored in the Minicopa Endesa, held in Gran Canaria from 12th to 16th February, 1 euro was donated to the fight against childhood cancer, the main mission of the Unoentrecienmil Foundation.
This nonprofit organisation launched a scientific study that proved the benefits of physical exercise for children undergoing cancer treatment.
Positive effects include a 17% reduction in hospitalisation time and a boost to the immune system.
The Canastas contra el Cáncer Infantil (‘Basketball Against Childhood Cancer’) initiative is part of a broader effort to explain, raise awareness, and make the connection between health and sports, well-being and basketball, more accessible to everyone.
The initiative takes place on 15th February, International Childhood Cancer Day.
Basketball once again showcased its social side and commitment to team spirit to help those in need: Endesa, acb, and Fundación Unoentrecienmil joined forces to ensure that one euro was donated to the ‘Basketball Against Childhood Cancer' initiative for every point scored during the Minicopa Endesa, held alongside the Copa del Rey in Gran Canaria from 12th to 16th February. The announcement came on the same day as the global awareness day dedicated to the fight against this disease.
In addition, the players themselves contributed donations, effectively doubling the total amount raised to support Unoentrecienmil’s efforts. This foundation focuses on advancing research projects that seek a complete cure for childhood leukaemia while promoting exercise as part of the treatment for children with cancer.
In 2018, Unoentrecienmil launched a scientific research project to analyse the effects of physical exercise on the physiological, immune, and tumour response in paediatric cancer patients. The study’s findings revealed a 17% reduction in hospitalisation time, improved immune response to the tumour, and additional benefits such as a cardioprotective effect, improved quality of life, and higher self-esteem. Approximately 1,300 children in Spain are diagnosed with childhood cancer every year.
In honour of International Childhood Cancer Day, held on Saturday 15th February, all players in the Minicopa Endesa wore Unoentrecienmil’s golden laces to symbolise the fight against childhood cancer during the event. Additionally, we were proud to welcome Oria, a young cancer patient invited by the foundation. She had a special role as the ‘Ball Kid’ during one of the Copa del Rey semifinal games, where she presented the official ball to kick off the match.
Oria represents all children in Spain whose lives have been suddenly affected by cancer, forcing them to stop their training. Thanks to ongoing research, improved treatments, and physical exercise, their recovery is faster, helping them return to normal life more quickly.
Basketball as a tool for change
This collaboration is part of a larger effort to make basketball a powerful tool for change. This year, hundreds of clubs and thousands of teams across Spain have come together to turn their games into acts of solidarity. For every basket scored during these matches, donations will go towards funding research and speeding up the cure for childhood cancer.
Last year, with the support of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and 16 regional federations, over 44,000 players from 347 clubs helped raise more than €187,000. This year, Endesa and its partners aim to outdo these figures and continue to expand the largest humanitarian basketball team in the country.
Endesa’s commitment to social outreach
At Endesa, we believe in the power of sport to transform lives and support causes that truly matter. On International Childhood Cancer Day, we want to actively join the fight and bring hope to thousands of children and their families. Through this initiative, Endesa reaffirms its commitment to the values of sport and solidarity, joining the collective effort toward a future without childhood cancer.
Unoentrecienmil
Fundación Unoentrecienmil is dedicated to advancing research projects aimed at finding a complete cure for childhood leukaemia, the most common cancer in children. Every day, a new case is diagnosed in Spain. This has a profound impact on families, as 20% of these children do not survive. Unoentrecienmil is the only foundation in Spain focused exclusively on childhood leukaemia. This allows researchers to make significant strides in specialised projects, spanning both basic and translational research.
Research grants
Since 2012, Unoentrecienmil has supported 15 research projects aimed at finding a complete cure for childhood leukaemia. They cover areas such as prevention, protocols, toxicity, relapses, and immunotherapies, among others. Its recipients include some of Spain’s leading researchers in this field, from hospitals such as La Paz, Niño Jesús, San Joan de Déu, and Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona, scientific institutions like the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, and universities such as that of Salamanca and the Complutense University of Madrid. In total, over €7,000,000 has been invested.
The Aceleradora Unoentrecienmil accelerator is one of the Foundation's flagship projects. It integrates physical exercise into the treatment of childhood cancer based on research that proves that sport speeds up cancer recovery and reduces hospitalisation time by 17%. The first of these accelerators is already operating at La Paz University Hospital in Madrid.