These agreements are part of SIGAUS’ commitment to sustainability with a social dimension, which complements its environmental activity in the management of used industrial oils. Through this collaboration, the organisation channels its solidarity towards projects that offer specialised care, support and future opportunities to particularly vulnerable groups.

In a friendly and moving ceremony, representatives of the DRAVET Syndrome Foundation, the APADIS Foundation and the PorqueViven Foundation visited SIGAUS’ headquarters to share the progress made thanks to this long-standing collaboration and to explain the projects that they will be able to promote over the coming year. Buenaventura González del Campo, and Eduardo de Lecea, President and General Director of SIGAUS, respectively, participated in the agreement ratification ceremony, emphasising the importance of maintaining stable partnerships with organisations that have such a direct and transformative social impact.

DRAVET Syndrome Foundation

The Dravet Syndrome Foundation works to improve the quality of life of people affected by this rare disease, a severe form of early-onset childhood epilepsy, and that of their families. Its work focuses on promoting scientific research, providing resources and support to families, and raising awareness of this condition among the general public and healthcare professionals.

Thanks to the support of collaborating entities such as SIGAUS, the foundation can continue to develop key research projects and new support resources. These include initiatives linked to promoting new research in its scientific laboratory in Elche to advance knowledge of the disease. In this regard, they are working on the upcoming creation of their own biobank, which will contain biological samples from patients and their families and will be accessible to any researcher worldwide interested in studying this disease in depth.

“Having partners who, year after year, continue to trust in our work is essential for us to maintain and expand our research and family support projects,” emphasized José Ángel Aibar, President of the DRAVET Syndrome Foundation; he also pointed out that this collaboration contributes directly to improving the daily lives of those living with this disease.

PORQUEVIVEN Foundation

The PorqueViven Foundation focuses its work on pediatric palliative care, complementing the work of public health services to tend to children with serious illnesses who require continuous care, and their families.

This year, the signing of the agreement comes at a time of momentum for the organisation, led by its new Director, Mónica Canton de Celis, who has highlighted the importance of continuing the partnership with SIGAUS: “The sustained support of allies such as SIGAUS enables us to look further ahead and move forward with a comprehensive care model that puts children and their families at the centre. There are real stories of rest, companionship and hope behind each agreement.”

SIGAUS’ contribution will be used, among other things, to develop the first comprehensive complex in Spain dedicated specifically to pediatric palliative care, located in Madrid. The space will include a day centre, rest areas for family caregivers, areas for physiotherapy and treatment, as well as training spaces for specialised professionals.

A proud collaboration for SIGAUS

For SIGAUS, these partnerships represent a form of responsibility that goes beyond its work as a collective extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for used industrial oils. “Our usual work is focused on protecting the environment, but we understand sustainability as a comprehensive concept, which also includes a commitment to people and those who are in situations of greater vulnerability,” said Buenaventura González del Campo during the event.

The president of SIGAUS also stressed the importance of the continuity of these collaborations over time: “Being able to maintain these agreements since 2018 allows us to see how the projects grow, mature and reach more and more people. It is a great satisfaction for us to accompany these entities and help them continue carrying out such necessary work.”

With the renewal of these agreements, SIGAUS is reaffirming its commitment to contributing to the construction of a more just, inclusive and supportive society by backing initiatives that tangibly improve the lives of children with serious illnesses, people with disabilities and their families.