A new initiative aimed at improving support for people with breast cancer has been launched in the Canary Islands by the Fundación Canaria Carrera por la Vida (Walk for Life Foundation).
The organisation has announced the first-ever ‘Becas Rosa’ (Pink Scholarships), a pioneering education programme that will fund specialist training for both professionals and students working in cancer care.
The initiative is designed to strengthen the skills of those working with cancer patients, recognising the importance of a well-trained multidisciplinary team that not only understands its own area of expertise, but also the specific needs of people living with cancer.
The Pink Scholarships will cover tuition costs for master's degrees or specialist courses in fields directly linked to oncology care. Areas of focus include psycho-oncology, oncology nutrition, cancer physiotherapy, and adapted physical activity, among others.
The Scholarships are open to healthcare and non-healthcare professionals, as well as students over the age of 18, of any nationality, who reside in the Canary Islands.
Brigitte Gypen, President of the Walk for Life Foundation, and chair of the grant selection committee, expressed her excitement about the launch, calling it “a groundbreaking project that will boost the number of professionals with oncology expertise and improve the quality and effectiveness of cancer care.”
Funding for the scheme has been raised through the Foundation’s community-driven events, including Pedaleando por la Vida (Cycling for Life), the Pink Duck Charity Race, and support from the Ricardo Masetti Foundation.
Applications for the Pink Scholarships are open until 15 July 2025. Full details and the application form can be found at www.carreraporlavida.org.
