*EVENT POSTPONED: due to the weather alert expected for October 1, and for the safety of all attendees, the 6th Solidarity Dinner at the Olympus Palace 4* Hotel in Salou is rescheduled and will take place next Thursday, October 22.
With the aim of contributing to awareness for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and at the same time supporting scientific research, the Hotel Olympus Palace 4* in Salou will celebrate a new edition of its traditional solidarity dinner on the SUMMIT rooftop on Thursday 1 October. This year the profits will go to the Biomedical Research Institute of Southern Catalonia (IRB CatSud) and the donation will contribute to the promotion of research projects in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and, specifically, to the INVESCART group of the IRB CatSud, which carries out its research work at the Hospital Joan XXIII in Tarragona.
During the public appearance to present this solidarity dinner, Gil Cristià , on behalf of the property of the Hotel Olympus Palace 4* , stated that “the heart we have located in front of the hotel and on the Salou promenade symbolize the heartbeat for which we are joining efforts this 2026. We want to highlight the professionals of the territory and everything they do to look after our hearts”. Gil Cristià also highlighted the poster for the solidarity dinner, worked on by the students of the Tarragona School of Art and Design within the ‘Olympus Scholarship’ project.
For his part, Dr. José Luis Ferreiro , Head of the Cardiology Service at the Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona, explained that “in hospitals of maximum technological complexity like ours there are three main axes: healthcare work, research and teaching. And in terms of research, we have very powerful lines of research in cardiology within the state and also at an international level. Therefore, what is achieved at this solidarity dinner will help consolidate existing projects as well as create new ones. We are very grateful to them.”
In this sense, Dr. Joan Vendrell, director of the IRB CatSud, stressed that “by conducting research and especially research closely linked to the territory, we improve, for example, the healthcare sector. Consequently, this affects our quality of life and, therefore, this is a very important impact that we must be aware of as a population. This type of initiative, such as the one planned by the Olympus Palace Hotel, is fundamental as a society.”
Other entities also involved in the initiative are Rotary Club Tarragona and the Salou City Council. Esther Fernández, vice president of the Rotary Club Tarragona, commented that “from our entity we will give all possible support to the cause and we will do our utmost to spread the word among our social mass to help make it a success.”
Finally, the mayor of Salou, Pere Granados , added that “initiatives like these from the Hotel Olympus Palace demonstrate the spirit of Salou and its entities. A solidarity linked to the hearts of the people, to the heart of Salou and which is a benefit for the territory. Many congratulations.”
Since 2019, adding alliances with the territory
This will be the sixth charity dinner organized by the Hotel Olympus Palace. The first was in 2019 for the Tarragona Cancer Association; in 2022 for autism (Todos en Azul); in 2023 for Alzheimer’s (Rosa Maria Vivar Foundation), in 2024 for the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute and the Stroke Unit of the Neurology Service of the Joan XXIII Hospital in Tarragona. Finally, the 2025 edition was held for the International Solidarity Sports Foundation (ESI), raising 16,190 euros.
The Olympus Palace 4* Hotel also wanted to thank the sponsors involved in the cause of this 2026: Grup Oliva Motor, Global Talke, Supermercats Michelangelo, Porcelanosa, Damm Foundation, The British School of Costa Daurada, Tomas Llobet – Cuines Profesisonals Industrials, Bugamed – Bugaderia del Mediterrani, Frutas López Sánchez and Metalics Aleix SL.
Participation in the charity dinner
The charity dinner will be held on Thursday, October 1, at 7 p.m., on the SUMMIT rooftop of the Olympus Palace 4* Hotel. The price for the charity cause is 60 euros per person. There is also a zero row for all those people and entities who want to collaborate. “It will be a cocktail dinner full of surprises and raffles. All in an incomparable space, in a unique evening that will please the attendees, I am convinced.” Registration for the charity dinner must be formalized by paying the 60 euros to the following number: ES67 2100 8669 7702 0002 8168 (also zero row). For any questions, the contact number is 690 149 866 .
The Solidarity Walk ‘Let’s Take a Step Against Diabetes’ aims to raise awareness among the population about the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits and to support biomedical research carried out in the region. All the funds raised will go to the Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases Research Group (DIAMET) at IISPV, which focuses on finding new knowledge and strategies to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
“The Perafort Town Council reaffirms its commitment to health, solidarity, and medical research through this initiative—values we consider essential for the well-being of our citizens. The funds are allocated to the IISPV to support research and scientific progress in this field,” said the mayor of Perafort, Joan Martí Pla i Pla. The Perafort Town Council thanks all the individuals and organizations involved and invites everyone to join this solidarity cause. Taking a step against diabetes is taking a step for everyone’s health.
There are different types of diabetes, but the most common are type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes affects about 0.2% of the population in Spain, and around 10% of diagnosed cases are in young people and children. Type 2 diabetes affects between 6% and 14% of the population. This percentage depends on the age group considered, but the older the person, the higher the incidence.
The director of the IISPV, Joan Vendrell, explains that “diabetes is not visible, but it can be controlled with information and a healthy lifestyle. In this sense, events like the walk are very valuable, as they help raise awareness about the disease and its impact, and also promote the work we do. Moreover, they are an opportunity for people to contribute to the development of the various research projects underway at the Institute.”
With a registration fee of €5, participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, enjoy breakfast and drinks in Els Garidells, and take part in a raffle of products offered by the event’s sponsors after the walk. Registration is open until November 21st, 2025, through the following link: https://serveis.iispv.cat/events/desena-caminada-contra-la-diabetis
For the third time, the Congress and Exhibition Palace of Tarragona will host Mamapop, a charity show that donates all its profits to breast cancer research at the Pere Virgili Health Research Institute (IISPV)
Mamapop will return to Tarragona for the third year in a row, with a new show on Saturday, November 1st. In 2025, Mamapop will take the audience on a musical journey through the 1960s and 1970s, performing famous songs from artists like Los Brincos, Los Bravos, Marisol, Miguel Ríos, Los Mustang, Los Sírex, Nino Bravo, Fórmula V, Camilo Sesto, Jeannette, Albert Hammond and Julio Iglesias, among others.
The show features a pop-rock instrumental base combined with violins, violas and cellos from the Julià Carbonell Symphony Orchestra of Lleida. Singers include Paula Costes, Nerea García, Laura Roure, Anna Simon, Xènia Pérez, David Honrrubia, Toni Gilabert, Maria Fernández, Pol Simon and Nomís Lenam. The musical director is Josep María Bossa, pianist, guitarist, composer and producer at Bossa Records. More than thirty professionals will be on stage to offer a unique and original production.
Once again, all proceeds from the concert will go to breast cancer research at IISPV. The event also celebrates the institute’s 20th anniversary and supports an ongoing study about the link between obesity and breast cancer, funded by previous Mamapop concerts. Manel Simon, promoter and artistic director of Mamapop, said: “It’s an honour to premiere the new show in Tarragona, knowing that a researcher can work on breast cancer thanks to the support of the local community.”
Dr. Elisabet Vilella, deputy director of IISPV, explained: “Our research is already showing results, which have been presented at several conferences. Early findings confirm the hypothesis that there is a connection between obesity and breast cancer. The project’s progress depends on future funding. Right now, we are waiting for a decision on a grant from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).”
Noemí Llauradó, president of the Tarragona Provincial Council, highlighted the institution’s commitment “to culture, research and solidarity.” She added: “Mamapop is more than a concert—it raises awareness.”
The event was presented on Monday at IISPV headquarters. Tarragona’s mayor, Rubén Viñuales, said: “Mamapop was created to raise awareness and mobilise people against breast cancer, using the universal language of music. The energy and enthusiasm it creates is transformed by IISPV into cutting-edge scientific research that improves the lives of those affected.”
Mamapop Tarragona is supported by Fundación Repsol, Factor Energia, the Port of Tarragona, the City Council, the Congress Palace, Rotary Club Tarragona, Tarragona Basketball Club, Nàstic de Tarragona, and the Provincial Council. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 1st, 2025 at 8pm. Over a thousand tickets are now on sale at www.mamapop.cat and in person at FarmaTarraco (C/ de Pere Martell, 5).