ALMIA is born, the first association in Spain focused on people with metastatic cancer.

ALMIA is the first Spanish association created specifically to represent , raise awareness of, and give voice to people living with metastasis. An event organized by the Health Observatory and Communications Study brought together leading professionals from the medical and scientific fields, as well as representatives of patient associations and the media.

The president of ALMIA, Pilar Fernández Pascual —a metastatic cancer patient—opened the meeting with an emotional and compelling speech. In her words, she outlined the origins and purpose of this new organization: " ALMIA is not just an organization . It's a response. A response that arises from the lived experience of many people—myself included—who live with metastatic cancer and who for too long felt invisible within the system," she noted.

During her speech, Fernández emphasized that ALMIA was founded with the desire to transform the experience of living with an incurable disease into a tool for collective, informed, and committed action . "We're not asking for privileges. We're asking for equity. We're asking to be heard. And we're here to ensure that happens," she added. The president emphasized that metastatic cancer cannot be addressed solely from a clinical perspective, but from a comprehensive perspective that takes into account the emotional, social, economic, and family needs of patients.

"We want to be the point of reference for patients with metastasis in Spain and, eventually, in Europe as well. A support and knowledge network that unites patients with different types of metastasis—lung, colon, breast, liver, ovarian, among others—but who share the same obstacles: unequal access to innovation , a lack of clear information, and care that often fails to consider the complexity of our situation," he stated.

Following the opening ceremony, a roundtable discussion was held under the title "Present and Future of Metastasis: Clinical Challenges , Social Barriers, and the Role of Associations." The discussion focused on three topics: the latest advances in research, inequalities in access to innovative therapies , and the fundamental role of associations in bridging the gap between science and patient reality.

Among the speakers was Dr. Javier Cortés , director of the International Breast Cancer Center (IBCC), who analyzed the main advances in the treatment of metastatic cancer and the challenges the medical community faces in ensuring equitable access to these treatments. "What excites me most when we talk about advances are immunoconjugated antibodies, which have revolutionized the approach to many tumors, especially breast cancer. But none of this would be possible without patients. Their role is key, not only as recipients of innovation, but as drivers of change," Cortés emphasized.

For her part, Dr. Gemma Moreno, head of the MD Anderson Foundation's translational research laboratory, underscored the value of translational research and reflected on the need to bridge the gap between scientific findings and the patient experience . "Our role may seem further removed from the patient, but in reality, everything we do begins and ends with them. Translational research isn't done in the abstract: it's done by and for patients. That is its foundation, its beginning, and its reason for being," she stated.

Representatives from sister associations, such as Marcelo Ruz ( AMOH ) and Santiago Gómez (ANCAP), also spoke, sharing the common challenges faced by groups of patients with advanced cancer. Marcelo Ruz praised the creation of ALMIA with forceful words: "If you didn't exist, they would have to invent you. Patients no longer need to know what cancer is, but how to deal with it. And that's where I think ALMIA will go a step further. Because metastatic cancer isn't talked about ."

For his part, Santiago Gómez emphasized the importance of the experience of those behind the association: "The experience of the ALMIA team is a sure asset for advancing the rights of all metastatic patients in Spain ."

ALMIA is the first Spanish association created specifically to represent , raise awareness of, and give voice to people living with metastasis. An event organized by the Health Observatory and Communications Study brought together leading professionals from the medical and scientific fields, as well as representatives of patient associations and the media.