Approximately 200 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed annually in Catalonia. Despite high survival rates, its classification as a rare disease limits research funding. Júlia Horcas, now 21, underwent two bone marrow transplants at Vall d'Hebron Hospital.
“"Someone who hasn't suffered from an illness cannot understand you in the same way as someone who has lived through it."
Her family was among the first to stay at Casa dels Xuklis, a home-away-from-home run by Afanoc. Júlia emphasizes that these facilities and summer camps are essential for building support networks and providing a space where young patients can be themselves without facing social stigma.
The organization Afanoc is currently highlighting the AYA Unit (Adolescents and Young Adults), pioneered at Vall d'Hebron in 2022. This specialized team supports patients aged 15 to 26, a group often caught in the gap between pediatric and adult healthcare systems.
