At the end of November, Madrid will host a charity auction set to become one of the year’s most prominent events for anyone concerned about rare diseases. Organizers have prepared a unique selection of lots: from heavy construction machinery to T-shirts signed by renowned football players. All proceeds will go toward advancing research into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease that claims the lives of hundreds of Spaniards each year.
The story of this event began with a personal tragedy. A young man named Marco passed away at the age of 20 after battling a severe illness. His mother, Nuria Rosas, could not come to terms with the loss and decided to dedicate her life to fighting for the future of other patients. Thus, the organization Desafío ELA was born—united by people committed to supporting science and helping families affected by an ALS diagnosis.
An auction with unique lots and a wide reach
On November 27 and 28, an auction will take place in Ocaña and Tarragona, open not only to residents of these cities but to everyone online. The lots include construction cranes, excavators, and other equipment provided by companies and private individuals. All commissions and fees from sales will be fully donated to the laboratory researching ALS at the i+12 Institute, part of Madrid’s 12 de Octubre hospital.
Special attention is drawn to T-shirts signed by players from Spain’s top clubs: Real Madrid, Atlético, and Betis. These unique items are sure to attract not only football fans but also anyone looking to contribute to an important cause. Organizers emphasize that each lot could bring thousands of euros to the laboratory—and that means bringing scientists closer to new breakthroughs.
Science and Personal Stories: Why Supporting Research Matters
Nuria Rosas believes that only scientific breakthroughs can change the fate of people with ALS. Behind every achievement in the lab are the lives of real people, like her son. That’s why Desafío ELA regularly organizes events to raise funds for new projects and to support families facing difficult circumstances.
All proceeds go to a laboratory led by Dr. Alberto García. This is one of Spain’s leading research teams, specializing in finding new methods for diagnosing and treating ALS. Their primary focus is on genetic research, discovering biomarkers, and developing personalized therapy approaches.
Spanish Scientists at the Forefront of the Fight Against ALS
The laboratory at the i+12 Institute is pursuing several lines of research. One objective is to identify the causes of the disease through genetic tests, which all patients undergo. Another focus is the search for molecules that could be key for early diagnosis and predicting disease progression. This approach enables doctors to tailor the most effective treatment for each patient.
Around 4,000 people in Spain are living with ALS. At 12 de Octubre Hospital alone, 250 patients are under care—making it one of the country’s largest specialized clinics. Here, multidisciplinary teams not only provide treatment but also support patients and their families at every stage of the disease.
Why are new therapies needed and how will they help?
Dr. García notes that, thanks to the support from Desafío ELA, a personalized medicine project has been launched. The disease affects everyone differently, and researchers aim to find the right approach for each case. To achieve this, patients are grouped by similar characteristics and individual treatment plans are developed.
Nuria Rosas emphasizes that ALS remains a little-understood disease without effective treatment. She believes that only ongoing investment in science can speed up diagnosis, unravel disease mechanisms, and uncover new targets for future drugs. For many families, this is their only hope.
