Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) has played a significant role in supporting families of children with cancer in the Algarve by donating €10,000 to sponsor a dedicated room at the new Acreditar building in Lisbon.
Founded in 1994 by Ana Correia Nunes, Acreditar offers a variety of support services, including psychological, legal, social, and financial assistance, as well as accommodation. Families are referred by Segurança Social representatives and can request help based on the patient’s age and home location. The association operates similar houses in Porto, Coimbra, and Lisbon, catering to patients from regions such as Alentejo, Algarve, Madeira, Azores, Cape Verde, and São Tomé.
The new building was officially inaugurated on June 20th, attended by the Minister of Youth and Modernization, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, the President of the Câmara de Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, and João de Bragança, President of Acreditar. RCEPI was represented by Head of Community Service, Christine Fay. A message from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was also read by one of Acreditar’s 600 volunteers.
Situated in front of the Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa (Lisbon IPO cancer hospital), the new building features 32 rooms for children undergoing treatment and their families. It includes a children’s library, a small garden, a playground, a collective kitchen with a dining room, and a laundry, all designed to support the daily lives of young patients and their families.
RCEPI’s donation ensures that its sponsored room, number 25, is specifically reserved for families from the Algarve, providing them with a comforting and supportive space during their stay. This association is a source of great pride for RCEPI members.
The facility's walls display the logos of over 100 private and public donors, decorated by the children themselves in recognition of the support received. This gesture symbolizes the improved quality of life and support these contributions bring to the children and their families.
Acreditar relies entirely on donations and a vast network of volunteers for its operations. To make a donation please visit www.acreditar.org.pt
If you would like find out how Rotary helps the community please contact info@rotaryestoipalace.org or visit www.rotaryestoipalace.org.
