Martha’s Vineyard, a project led by Martha Ardila in Moraira, has begun supporting health research through a collaboration with INCLIVA, contributing an initial donation of €4,000 to oncology clinical trials. Martha Ardila is the driving force behind this initiative, inspired by the experiences of loved ones affected by cancer. The project aims to pay tribute to those who have had to fight the disease and to honour their strength and resilience. Accompanied by her husband, Martha Ardila visited INCLIVA to share the origins and motivations of Martha’s Vineyard. She was welcomed by Vicente de Juan, managing director of the institute, who expressed his gratitude for the solidarity shown towards cancer research. Following the meeting, Ardila visited INCLIVA’s Phase I Oncology Clinical Trials Unit, where new drugs are tested in humans for the first time to assess their effectiveness in treating cancer. The couple were guided through the facility by Inma Blasco, the unit’s head nurse coordinator. Martha’s Vineyard was born from Martha Ardila’s personal journey, inspired by the courage of her eldest sister and her own son, both cancer survivors. Their stories fuelled her commitment to supporting cancer research, a cause she has championed in California, Colombia and now Spain. To mark the second anniversary of Martha’s Vineyard in Moraira, the event SIP for the CURE was held on 10 May in honour of those affected by cancer. The phrase, commonly used in charitable initiatives involving wine, tea or coffee, reflects the idea of raising funds for medical research with every drink served. “This place is more than just a wine shop,” said Ardila. “It is a cultural space through which we aim to give back to the community by supporting a noble cause. This initiative has deep personal meaning for us, as we have lost four of our closest friends to cancer. Their memory fuels our ongoing commitment.” She also highlighted the “invaluable support of the Teulada Cancer Association, which helped us connect with INCLIVA,” as well as the backing and participation of the Teulada-Moraira Town Council, and the involvement of customers, suppliers and local businesses in the community. About INCLIVA’s Phase I oncology clinical trials unit Celebrating its 20th anniversary in November 2023, INCLIVA’s Phase I Oncology Clinical Trials Unit is dedicated to the development of innovative cancer drugs through clinical trials and biological studies focusing on tumour pathogenesis, prognosis, and experimental therapies for solid tumours. Much of the unit’s work involves international trials led by major pharmaceutical companies. The unit’s pioneering approach combines cancer diagnosis and treatment with full human genome sequencing, delivering promising results. This includes the use of targeted therapies for specific molecular alterations identified through sequencing, and the development of new immunotherapy combinations. These efforts contribute to the advancement of precision medicine and the creation of new therapies—treatments that are more targeted and less toxic. Some of these new drugs have already moved into Phase II or III clinical trials or have received regulatory approval for use as standard therapies. Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for the latest news about Europe and Costa Blanca.