Acadèmia de Ciències de la Salut de Catalunya i Balears

Transcription

1 Ambassador: Name: Manel Juan Phone: Address: Societat Catalana d Immunologia (SCI) Acadèmia de Ciències de la Salut de Catalunya i Balears C/ Major Can Caralleu Barcelona

2 What your objective was and who organized the campaign? The objectives of The Day of Immunology 2013 in Barcelona were, (1) to bring modern concepts of immunology closer to the general public, and (2) to emphasize the importance of the immune system in our daily life and in our health. The campaign was organized by the Catalan Society of Immunology (SCI), with the support of BIOcomuniCA T, the Gaudí Shopping Area Association (GSAA) and the Sports Foundation Claror. The SCI contributed with the scientific content, BIOcomuniCA T organized the event, the GSAA collaborated offering the locations and the stands and the Claror Foundation contributed with the highlight of the Day that was a running race dedicated to Immunology. Five different patient associations (all related to the immune-system) also participated to the event: TACEC and ADER, associations for heart and kidney transplant patients respectively; ACLEG an association for patients affected by immunological diseases such as Lupus and ACaDIP and AEDIP associations for patients with primary immunodeficiencies. We also counted with the collaboration of a Photography School which volunteered in taking pictures during the day (see web ( and Annex 1 for the images of the day). The fruitful collaboration of all these entities made possible to achieve a great first Day of Immunology 2013 in Barcelona. The success of the initiative prompts us to plan next year a second edition of the event. What you did, approximately how many people were reached, & what were some of the major results? The SCI is very excited with the impact of the Day of Immunology. As we explained in the first report, we synergized with the organizers of two solid and well established events occurring in Barcelona the 28th of April. They wanted to give an added value to their activities (the Sagrada Familia Spring Festival and the running race La Milla ) and accepted our proposal to celebrate the Day of Immunology. Almost 1000 participants, of different ages and gender, competed for the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd position in the one mile run around the Sagrada Familia Temple. At Midday, there was the race dedicated to Immunology, and all participants run the mile wearing a blue T-shirt specifically designed for the occasion (see Annex 2). Around 100 people run in this special race. During the running races, messages related to immunology were announced through the PA system and people were encouraged to run for the immunology and to visit the stands. The Ambassador of this proposal also gave a short speech through the PA system and explained the relevance of the immune system to our health. This was our major result and we estimate that more than 3000 people were reached through this action. Our second largest achievement was the web. It was specifically created for the Day of Immunology ( and the content was designed to explain concepts of immunology using easy wording and examples. The web has been visited by more than 3300 people, and more than 200 left their contact address to receive information for future events in the field of immunology. All this also witness the success of our event in Barcelona. Finally, our last important achievement was the fair. The coincidence with the Spring Festival of the Sagrada Familia neighbourhood was a success, as it provided an excellent environment for scientific dissemination due to the special atmosphere and the interested visitors of our stands. The distribution of balloons in the shape of immunoglobulins was a success as it attracted the families to our activities (see annex 1). Over 200 hard-copies of the book Your Amazing Immune System ( were distributed, and the public was strongly interested for its content (see Annex 1). Even if the Scientific Coffee in the Immunology Day 2013 in Barcelona page 1/2

3 late afternoon could not be held due to rain, our objectives were largely achieved. Visitors actively interacted with scientists and with the associations and the importance of the immune system in our daily life and in our health was highlighted. Specific information about your content, format, and location where it took place We had a very clear objective in organizing a dissemination activity and we wanted to reach most of the local society in Barcelona. For this we celebrated the day of Immunology right next to one of the most visited monuments of Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia. The event took place at a pedestrian street (Avinguda Gaudi) right next to the famous temple of the Catalan Architect Gaudi, Sagrada Familia. We celebrated the Day of Immunology with a broad and highly interactive programme of activities related to the Immune System (see Annex 3). (1) Important patient associations were invited to present their contribution to the patients they represent and to explain to the general public the relation between the immune system and the disease related to the association. (Associations: Heart Transplant, Kidney Transplant, LUPUS and two Primary Immunodeficiency associations) (2) We collaborated with an American artist, Elizabeth Jameson, who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Elizabeth s paintings transform brain scans into colourful masterpieces and artistically represent medical information. Apart from the paintings we prepared a poster that explains to the general public Multiple Sclerosis (see Annex 4). (3) We wanted the Immunology Day to be as interactive as possible and visitors should return home with a clear understanding on the importance of the immune system. This is why we created a Gymkhana where visitors were invited to obtain answers from the different stands and immerge into the fascinating immune system (see Annex 5). (4) Sports is a means to improve the immune system that s why, together with Claror Foundation, we organized a race specially dedicated to Immunology during the 29th Milla of Sagrada Familia (see Annex 6). (5) An online painting competition was organized in order to stimulate children's curiosity for the immune system. The winner of the competition will spend a day at an immunology laboratory with investigators from the SCI (biocomunicat.wix.com/concurs-immunologia). Summary of your contact with the media All entities involved in the Day of Immunology 2013 in Barcelona contributed in the dissemination of the event. The web that was created for that event ( was viewed by more than 3300 people during April and May More than 2000 people (personal network of BIOcomuniCA T) were invited via personal e- mail to the event, and a press release was send to more than 150 local newspapers, magazines, radio channels, science communicators, and scientific institutions, etc. In addition, the event was announced in several web pages, such as the official web page from the Barcelona City Council, web pages of research centres, and others (see Annex 7). The 29th edition of La Milla including the special run for Immunology was reported on the Catalan National Television (TV3). See link: Sagrada-Familia (minute 0:18) (see also annex 8). Relevant European-wide runners such Juan Carlos Higuero, Kevin Lopez or Isabel Macias, were invited to run by the Claror Foundation. There was a press conference organized to present La Milla in its competitive form but also the non-competitive form dedicated to the immunology. It accounted with the presence of several political representatives from Barcelona, known athletes, and the vice-president from the SCI Jorge Lloberas (see Annex 7.1). As already mentioned above, the Ambassador of this proposal also gave a short speech through the PA system during the day and explained the relevance of the immune system to our health. Immunology Day 2013 in Barcelona page 2/2

4 (Annex 1) Photos of the Day of Immunology, Barcelona An excellent environment for scientific dissemination due to the festive atmosphere and the large number of visitors. The distribution of balloons in the shape of immunoglobulins was a success as it attracted many families who were interested in all activities. Annex 1 - page 1/3

5 Great participation in the Immunology race : public was delightful with the activity. Over 200 hard-copies of the book Your Amazing Immune System were distributed. Annex 1 - page 2/3

6 The importance of the immune system in our health was emphasized by the presence of patient associations. Annex 1 - page 3/3

7 (Annex 2) T-Shirt specially designed for the Immunology race 2013 (see also the photographs of the race in Annex 1): Annex 2 page 1/1

8 (Annex 3) Schedule and map of the celebration of the Day of Immunology, Barcelona 2013 Annex 3 page 1/1

9 (Annex 4) Information about Elisabeth Jameson s Exposition. Day of Immunology, Barcelona 2013 Document about the artist Elisabeth Jameson (from her web page): Annex 4 page 1/4

10 Annex 4 page 2/4

11 Some of the pictures prepared for the exhibition. Day of Immunology, Barcelona : Annex 4 page 3/4

12 Poster designed to explain the Multiple Sclerosis to the general public: Annex 4 page 4/4

13 (Annex 5) Gymkhana organized Day of Immunology, Barcelona Document designed to guide the public through the Immuno-Gymkhana Annex 5 page 1/2

14 Annex 5 page 2/2

15 (Annex 6) Race dedicated to Immunology, as a part of the 29th Milla of Sagrada Familia. Poster announcing the race. Annex 6 page 1/2

16 (Annex 7) The Immunology Day in Barcelona 2013 was announced in several web pages: 1) In the official web page of the city of Barcelona (Barcelona city council web page): See shortlink to read full text: 2) In the web page of the PRBB (Biomedical Research Park of Barcelona): 3) In the web page of the Gaudí Shopping Area: Annex 7 page 1/3

17 4) In the web page of the ACADIP Association (patients with primary immunodeficiencies) 5) In the web page of the Fundació Claror: Annex 7 page 2/3

18 6) In the web page of the Barcelona Clinic Hospital: Annex 7 page 3/3

19 (Annex 8) The Immunology Day in Barcelona 2013 was reported on the Catalan National Television TV3. See link on the online version of TV3: (minute 0:18) Annex 8 page 1/1