The Plaza de España was the venue for the ‘Solidarity Ribbon for ALS’ initiative, organised by the Spanish Association of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (adELA) in collaboration with the Madrid City Council. This event aimed to raise awareness about the disease, which affects over 4,000 people in Spain.
Combining gastronomy, music, and social awareness, the event featured a 96-metre-long cake shaped like a ribbon, with proceeds from its sale going towards funding care for individuals with ALS and their families.
José Fernández, the city’s delegate for Social Policies, Family, and Equality, attended the event alongside Borja Fanjul, the councillor for Moncloa-Aravaca. Fernández highlighted the significance of the ribbon as a symbol that brings people together, stating, “Today we are united by a ribbon, which is a simple yet meaningful symbol, as it connects people, wills, and efforts.” He emphasised the need for societal and administrative involvement in supporting this cause.
Fernández reaffirmed the Madrid City Council's commitment to individuals affected by ALS, their families, and caregivers, stating, “They require care that respects the dignity of each person.” In 2025 and 2026, the council provided adELA with specific grants to help fund respiratory physiotherapy for ALS patients.
Founded in 1990, adELA operates throughout Spain, with the primary mission of improving the quality of life for those affected by ALS and other motor neuron diseases. In Spain, a new case of ALS is diagnosed every nine hours, making it the third most common neurodegenerative disease in the country, following Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
