Initiative ‘Siempre+Positivo’. From left to right: standing, Álvaro Cebrián (El Ganso cofounder), Nacho Solana (documentary’s director), Louis van Gaal, Maria Blasco, Rodrigo Espinel (Morena Films), Alfonso García-Valenzuela (CCO at IPG Mediabrands). Front: Vicente Jiménez (chief editor at Diario AS) and Jorge Martínez. credit: Esther Sánchez / CNIO. Crédito: Esther Sánchez / CNIO.
The Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO) hosts the presentation of the ‘Siempre+Positivo’ campaign to raise funds for cancer research
Van Gaal and Maria Blasco star in a documentary produced by Morena Films about the coach’s experience as a cancer patient and about science as the way to find solutions
An exclusive line of clothing with the slogan ‘Siempre Positivo’, produced by the El Ganso brand, completes the initiative. Proceeds from its sale will be donated to the CNIO for cancer research
At the CNIO, the main public institution in our country dedicated to cancer research, a surprising press conference took place this morning: that of Maria Blasco -its scientific director (and one of the best-known names in Spanish research)- announcing the ‘signing’ of the legendary Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, to help transmit to Spanish society a positive and hopeful vision of cancer research.
Van Gaal and prostate cancer
Reputed worldwide for his brilliant career leading teams such as Manchester United, Ajax Amsterdam, Bayern Munich, or the Dutch national team, Louis van Gaal is remembered in our country for his time as coach of FC Barcelona, but above all for his phrase “Always negative…never positive”, addressed 25 years ago to journalist Rafa Carbonell during a press conference, and which belongs to the history of Spanish soccer.
Two years ago, at the World Cup in Qatar, after reaching the semifinals with his team, Louis van Gaal announced that he was suffering from prostate cancer. He did so in a natural and optimistic fashion, but, above all, truly confident in the treatments and the advances in research. His players never knew that, while they slept, he was receiving his treatment to overcome the cancer.
Research to strip cancer of its lethal power
With 20 million new cases each year, cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and one of society’s greatest concerns. A disease loaded with negativity and pessimism that has come to make the word “cancer” synonymous with destruction.
For Maria Blasco, a world leader in oncology research, “research is getting to strip cancer of its lethal power, and thanks to it, we can move towards more personalized, precise and effective diagnoses and treatments”.
A cinematographic dialogue betting on science
SIEMPRE+POSITIVO is creative Jorge Martínez’s original idea (he is the author of projects and ideas such as “Pastillas contra el dolor ajeno”, “Muchoyó” and “La Camiseta de Pau”), in collaboration with IPG Mediabrands, and it arises from the encounter between two worlds, sport and science, apparently very distant, but united by the same purpose: to beat the opponent.
For Jorge Martínez, “few challenges are more important than trying to put an end to cancer, but we know that there is only one way to achieve this: to support our researchers and trust in their work. ‘Siempre Positivo’ is not a trivial message, it is an invitation to all of us to take a new look at cancer, a positive look, thanks to research and science”.
Maria Blasco, molecular biologist, and Louis van Gaal talk and reflect on the relationship between science and sport in a cinematographic dialogue “that invites the viewer to think and tells a story that deserves to be told,” says Morena Films, which, together with Mediabrands Content Studio, has produced the documentary directed by Nacho Solana, for whom “it has been a great opportunity and a great responsibility to redefine a phrase that is part of my lexicon and that of my generation.
Louis van Gaal shares with Maria Blasco his personal experience in the fight against cancer and his way of dealing with the many problems he has faced throughout his life. A conversation that takes place in the locker room of a soccer field, in which the scientific director of the CNIO explains how science is achieving great advances, reminding us that it is from research that new treatments and cures come out.
The SIEMPRE+POSITIVO equipment that supports research
The initiative has created a solidarity fashion collection (a T-shirt and a sweatshirt in different colors) with the slogan Siempre+Positivo, produced and marketed by the prestigious Spanish fashion brand El Ganso, and whose proceeds will go entirely to cancer research through the CNIO. This environmentally friendly collection is already available at a price of 29.90 euros for the T-shirt and 59.90 euros for the sweatshirt, on the initiative’s website www.siemprepositivo.life, at www.elganso.com and in its network of stores.
