The Pfizer Foundation gave its annual awards in Lorca.

-to Lorca carry this Act is the best way to show their emotional and personal support with the town after the earthquakes in the month of may

-this fact gives continuity to the solidarity action made Pfizer employees to collaborate in the most urgent needs

Lorca, November 2011- La Fundación Pfizer held last Friday, at the University of Lorca, his twelfth institutional Act of awards, citation of reference of this institution and the scenario in which acknowledges the work of excellent professionals, agencies and entities working for the advancement of knowledge, the promotion of health and the improvement of the quality of life in our country.

In its twelfth edition, the Pfizer Foundation, after chilling earthquakes that struck the town of Lorca in the month of may, decided to hold its annual Act of awards in this town, as a sign of solidarity. In this way, gives continuity to other actions in collaboration with Lorca by the biomedical company Pfizer throughout the year. thanks to the generosity of all employees, Pfizer made a donation to the city of Lorca a cheque worth 21.918 euros to cover the most urgent needs.

In this regard, the DRA. Elvira Sanz Urgoiti, President of the Foundation Pfizer says as well as economic, necessary support for the recovery of Lorca, we think that, above all, our moral and face-to-face support was necessary. For this reason, we decided to celebrate the most important of the Foundation here, annual event in Lorca. ”

chaired by the Mayor of Lorca, Francisco Jódar, and the Minister of health and Social policy, Murcia, María Angeles palaces, delivered the awards in the categories of biomedical research (both basic and clinical)Social commitment and communication (written press, radio and television).

The winners in different categories expressed a sincere thanks to the Pfizer Foundation by both appreciate his work, by having them distinguished and encourage them to continue their work in a very important area such as the improvement of health from points of view so different but complementary ”.

Research Awards

The Pfizer Foundation Awards’s research support the relevant projects of Spanish scientists who contribute to lay the groundwork for advances in knowledge of diseases and thus enable the development of safe and effective medicines.

The work led by Dr. Carlos Belmonte, the Institute of Neurosciences of Alicante, and Dr. Miguel Martin of the Spanish (GEICAM) breast cancer research group have been awarded for this edition in the categories of basic research and clinical researchrespectively. Both awards are endowed with an amount of € 30,000.

The article entitled ‘ ocular surface moisture is regulated by dependent TRPM8 cold termorreceptores ’, published in Nature Medicine, and coordinated by Dr. Carlos Belmonte, shows the results of a study that opens up the possibility of that exposed mucous cold receptors (eye, mouth, vaginal …) contribute to the regulation of their degree of humidity. The data obtained in this work can help provide a way of regulating the humidification of these tissues, altered in pathologies such as dry eye, the epifora or excessive tear production, burning mouth or vaginal dryness.

For its part, the collective work of the GEICAM group, led by Dr. Miguel Martín has been published in the journal The New England Journal of Medicine. The study GEICAM 9805/Target has served to establish a new standard of treatment for breast cancer in early stages and has contributed data real women today are handled in the consultations. Also, as a step forward in the individualization of treatment of this, the most common tumor in women around the world.

Social commitment award

The program volunteering at shelters for families of children affected with hemophilia ” of the Spanish Federation of hemophilia has been the beneficiary entity in this category. This project is to equip all Spain families with children with hemophilia in an area of health education about the disease and treatment during 5 days 24 hours.

The Pfizer Foundation wanted to recognize this program that changes the view that parents have about hemophilia, conducive self-esteem and autonomy of children in the self-treatment of illness and supposed support for families.

Through this category, the Pfizer Foundation supports institutions that carry out projects to improve the quality of life of people. In this Edition, with a total allocation of 6,000 euros, have been particularly valued projects that promote social integration and to promote volunteerism targeted at the development of a future autonomous and independent of children and youth with disabilities.

The Board of Trustees of the Pfizer Foundation, in an exceptional way, wanted to make a special mention to the work of Regional Murcia of hemophilia Association for his work on the promotion of independent living and quality of children with this disorder between eight and 12 years.

Among the finalists were selected the following institutions: the Catalan Association for neuromuscular diseases, Oncología Infantil Enriqueta Villavecchia Foundation and the Malaga Association of AMARE rheumatoid arthritis.

Carmen Giró have been recognized in this edition of ‘ La Vanguardia ’ (press written by story ‘ after myocardial ’), Luis Gutierrez and Bethlehem Almonacid de Onda Madrid (Radio, the programme dedicated to the ‘ world no tobacco day ’ ’) and Nuria Briongos) (TV)(, by reporting ‘ A match which starts at the incubator ’ and ‘ Glaucoma ’, broadcast on Antena 3), each of them with 6,000 euros.

Pfizer Foundation