April of 2025

On April 4, the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital in Granada hosted the III Meeting of Associations, organized by its Committee on Citizen Participation. This annual event, which has established itself as a key event in the field of health, brought together entities and professionals to foster collaboration and dialogue around citizen participation in the hospital environment. The meeting was attended by more than half a thousand people who had the opportunity to visit the more than 70 information stands of the different participating groups.
In this edition, the Biobank of the Public Health System of Andalusia (SSPA) was present with an informative table where attendees could learn first-hand how to participate in the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research. The table, which was attended by professionals from the Coordinating Node and the Provincial Node of Granada of the SSPA Biobank, offered detailed information on how people, both individually and through patient associations, can contribute to the advancement of biomedical research through sample donation.

The Provincial Node of Cadiz of the SSPA Biobank has participated in the Science Fair of Jerez de la Frontera, an event promoted by the CEP of Jerez with the collaboration of the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology - Ministry of Science and Innovation, and other public and private organizations.
The fair, which took place in the historic cloisters of Santo Domingo on April 8, 9 and 10, brought together numerous experts and entities to share their knowledge and discoveries in various scientific disciplines. In this edition, the SSPA Biobank played a key role by offering a day dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of donating biological samples for research.
Throughout the day, the Biobank professionals shared with the attendees the fundamental aspects of the donation of biological samples and their relevance in the advancement of science and medicine. In addition, they carried out various interactive scientific experiences, allowing participants to discover in a practical way how biological samples are managed and used in research studies.

Would you like to be part of a scientific project that investigates the cardiovascular risk factors? The SSPA Biobank is looking for people who want to collaborate in this study.
Who can participate?

Women and men who are not receiving hormone treatments (you can use contraception).

Women and men who do not suffer from registered autoimmune diseases or other serious pathologies.

People who have not been vaccinated in the last three weeks.

Those who are not pregnant or breastfeeding.

How can you be a donor? It's quick and easy:

Call 958 89 46 69.

Write to registro.donantes.csalud@juntadeandalucia.es.

Or register directly on our website www.soydonanteparainvestigacion.es using your digital certificate.

Your partnership is critical to improving everyone's health. Join us in this cause!

During the month of April, the SSPA Biobank has continued its commitment to bring biomedical research to all audiences, participating in two educational activities aimed at schoolchildren and young people.
Workshop at the CEIP San Miguel de Armilla Cultural Week
Professionals from the SSPA Biobank Coordinator Node visited the CEIP San Miguel de Armilla to participate in its Cultural Week. A through a dynamic workshop, the little ones learned about some types of biological samples used in research. In addition, they had the opportunity to deepen the study of cells and tissues, observing under a microscope samples of healthy and pathological tissues. The experience aroused great curiosity and served to motivate future generations towards the world of science and health.
Open Day with the ies Ilipa Magna of Seville
Continuing with its annual program of open days, the Coordinating Node of the SSPA Biobank received more than 40 students from the ies Ilipa Magna of Seville. During the visit, students learned first-hand about the inner workings of a research biobank: from the reception and processing of samples to their storage and making available to scientific projects. The Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research was also presented, explaining how anyone - either individually or collectively - can join this initiative and contribute to the advancement of medicine.
With these activities, the Biobank of the SSPA reinforces its dissemination work and its commitment to citizen participation, demonstrating that science can and should be accessible to everyone, from the early stages of education to youth. We continue to work together to build the future of biomedical research!

In April, the SSPA Biobank continued to make progress in its work to bring the Registry of Sample Donors for Biomedical Research closer to the associative movement, working closely with various patient associations. On this occasion, the professionals from the Provincial Node of Malaga and the Coordinating Node have held meetings with the Lukiss Foundation and the Andalusian Association of Hemophilia (ASANHEMO), respectively.
During these meetings, the SSPA Biobank and the Andalusian Registry of Sample Donors for Research were presented as fundamental tools for medical research. highlighted the importance of the donation of biological samples as a crucial pillar for the development of new treatments and therapies, underlining the positive impact of the active participation of citizens in scientific projects.
At the conclusion of the meetings, both groups expressed their interest in collaborating with the SSPA Biobank. In addition, the representatives of ASANHEMO expressed interest in participating in the creation of a strategic collection of biological samples from people with hemophilia. For its part, the Lukiss Foundation offered its collaboration for the creation of a strategic collection on developmental epileptic encephalopathies and for the implementation of the first registration of the STXBP1 Syndrome. These collaborations allow us to join forces and facilitate the development of research projects in these fields.

On April 9, professionals from the SSPA Biobank accompanied the Parkinson Granada Association in the events organized by it, in collaboration with the Foundation BidaFarma, to celebrate World Parkinson's Day. During the day, real testimonies from people affected by Parkinson's were shared, focusing on the importance of accompaniment, personalized attention and joint work between professionals and families to improve the quality of life of patients.
In addition, the "Take nothing for granted" campaign was introduced, a initiative aimed at breaking stereotypes and broadening the vision about the disease. The campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing the invisible symptoms and diverse realities of those living with Parkinson's, promoting greater understanding and empathy in society.
With activities like this, the SSPA Biobank continues to contribute significantly to awareness and support for research and care of neurodegenerative diseases.