Elche prepares today, September 15, to host an event of great significance in the healthcare and scientific fields. For several days, the city will bring together experts from around the world to discuss advances in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases.
The anticipation is focused not only on the content of the congress, but also on the presence of a very significant figure. Queen Sofía has decided to personally support the event, a gesture that adds relevance and a human touch to the international gathering.
An international event in Elche
This week, Elche becomes the global epicenter of research on neurodegenerative diseases. For four days, internationally renowned experts will address the latest advances in therapies and social-healthcare support.
The opening of the congress is scheduled for today and will bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, and institutional representatives. This gathering aims to raise awareness of conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The event, organized by the Queen Sofía Foundation along with other organizations, also seeks to raise public awareness about these types of diseases. With a translational research model, science and care are combined to improve patients' quality of life.
The social commitment of the queen emerita
In recent years, Queen Sofía has strengthened her involvement in the healthcare and social fields. Through her foundation, she has promoted initiatives aimed at research and care for affected individuals.
In 2024, the organization doubled the financial resources allocated to charitable projects, with an investment of more than four million euros. Most of those funds were dedicated to the study of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
This effort reflects the importance the emerita places on the search for solutions. With her presence at these types of events, she aims to raise awareness of a reality that affects thousands of families around the world.
The personal motivation of Doña Sofía
The decision by Queen Sofía to preside over the opening of the congress has a personal background that can't be overlooked. Her sister, Princess Irene, suffers from Alzheimer's and cognitive decline that has shaped the emerita's perspective on this cause. That family situation has shaped Sofía's sensitivity toward these diseases and has strengthened her commitment to research.
The family situation explains the closeness Queen Sofía keeps with this highly relevant cause that impacts thousands of families. For the emerita, it is not only an institutional duty, but also an experience she knows closely and very directly. That experience brings a human and emotional component to her involvement that connects with society and gives it a special added value.
Today's opening takes on special significance because it reflects the importance of raising awareness of the disease and supporting research. Queen Sofía's gesture of presiding over the international gathering confirms strong and determined support for the scientific community. It also sends a clear message of empathy and social awareness, placing the issue at the center of public debate.