Fortune Spa Resort AET News
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We have translated this article which was published
in the Nueva Linea, a Regional Newspaper, on Friday 23rd February
2007.
Juan Pedro Baños: “I feel very
comforted about the solidarity of Murcia”
The president of the AET (Spanish Transplant Association)
points out the great support that all the AET initiatives are receiving
in the region of Murcia.
Juan Pedro Baños has been the president of the AET since 2002.
During which time he has managed to get the consolidation of this
association in the whole of Spain. The AET is in full expansion, and
within its latest projects is MAYORES MAÑANA, a program of
fully adapted accommodation with all the socio-sanitary services,
designed for transplanted patients and people over the age of 55.
This program is being carried out in the Fortune Spa Resort complex
in Fortuna. On the Worldwide Day of the Kidney, Juan Pedro Baños
makes a new solidarity appeal to all the people of Murcia.
What is the AET’S origin, Mr Baños?
The AET, (Spanish Transplant Association) was started in 1999, with
the object to develop a social and solidarity project to benefit the
users of the health service, and specially, in support of all the
transplant patients and of those who suffer pathologies that could
derive in the need of a transplant. The aim is to offer a project
throughout the whole of Spain, from experiences on a national and
international level, of the members of ALCER Murcia and other transplanted
people from different parts of Spain.
What area does this association intend to cover?
Above all, we want to be the voice to all the transplanted patients
and all those that could need a transplant in the future, reach dignified
pensions, work integration, housing, tourism, leisure… we also
give a better attention to all the donors, and to all the health users
in general, making them more participant of the health system. Currently,
we have over 60.000 beneficiaries just in the region of Murcia.
In these past seven years what have been the main goals of
the organization?
The first big success was the communication: we have been able to
reach all the municipalities of Spain. In the Region of Murcia we
are proud of the involvement by the ALCER Murcia Federation. We have
to point out the organizing of great events such as the Families of
Chronically ill and Dependant Patients Days, the National Donation
and Transplant of Organs Symposiums, the Consolidation of the Solidarity
prizes, the Mutual Help program, projects for work integration, and
in general, are a great effort in divulgation. Finally, our most important
goal was our strategic plan 2006-10, where the program of adapted
housing MAYORES MAÑANA was taken on.
What does the program MAYORES MAÑANA consist of?
It is our most ambitious project. It consists of an innovated program
of adapted housing with all the medical and social services for the
attention of the health users; MAYORES MAÑANA is designed for
patients with chronic illnesses, transplant patients and people over
the age of 55 and it will be developed in various autonomous communities,
starting with the region of Murcia. I would like to express my gratitude
publicly to the first investors to create the first residential with
all the requirements of MAYORES MAÑANA: Ruben López
and Felix Marco Herrero have made possible in Fortuna de wonderful
project of FORTUNE SPA RESORT.
Why can MAYORES MAÑANA consider itself to be a pioneer
program in Europe?
Firstly, because no European entity has yet designed a project which
adapts real housing necessities of patients and the elderly to guarantee
their autonomy and not be a burden to anybody. The aim is to live
a full life, thanks to the technical and human services that are provided
in all the housing promotions that want to be guaranteed by MAYORES
MAÑANA, which necessarily have to include control systems for
patients and the vanguard technology, guaranteed by the international
programs of Helios II, Progress and New Horizon: House, Travel and
Job.
What other project do you have on a short term basis?
The AET has yearly formation programs, as well as promoting of donators.
We are also involved in sponsoring sports and cultural events, such
as the Cycling tour of Murcia or the Real Murcia football club, always
with the support of large companies like Grupo Trampolin and Obras
y Servicios: Technicos de Levante. I would like to point out that
on Friday 9th of March we will be celebrating in the Romea the Ball
of the Worldwide Day of the Kidney, in which the Alcer Kidney prize
will be given to Dr. Hernando, pioneer of dialysis in Spain. And from
26th February to 4th March we are organizing a commemorative exhibition
in the Regional Assembly Hall under the title of “Art for Life”.
Which has been the main problem for the AET over these years?
The main problem has been the high cost of development of such a project
on a national level. Thanks to companies like Gestiplus, Fortune Spa
Resort, Prodemur Multicasa, NH World amongst others, which have collaborated
with us uninterestedly, our job was made possible.
What does it mean to you to direct the AET?
It means everything: I have been struggling with my chronic illness
(chronic kidney failure) since I was four, when I could not walk or
talk. At the age of nineteen I entered into dialysis and after 6 days
in comma, when I recovered I said to myself “I have been born
again”, but in my heart and soul there was a sense of returning
the so valuable gift that God and Science had given me. I had the
opportunity to enter into ALCER and then see the AET become a reality.
When my “brother”, Diego Fajardo Motos, invited me to
participate in the project I did not doubt it for one second, and
after his death I decided to continue his great work.
What would you say to somebody to convince them to become
a donor?
I would tell a future donor to think with his heart: to donate organs
is to give life. Simply with a telephone call you can contribute to
give hope.
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