Children and adolescents with chronic diseases become co-drivers in sports cars for a day

The Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Grupo Quirónsalud (HUFJD) has signed a collaboration agreement with the non-profit organisation "Cars for Smiles", as a result of which, on 30 September, around 20 children of between 14 and 18 years old with some of the chronic diseases most prevalent in adolescents such as diabetes, respiratory and digestive diseases and neurological conditions from, among others, the hospitals managed by Quirónsalud in the public network of Madrid (Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Rey Juan Carlos de Móstoles, General de Villalba and Infanta Elena de Valdemoro), will be able to experience being co-drivers for a day in special cars.

During the eight-hour day, these children and adolescents under clinical care will meet drivers-sponsors of high-performance and sports cars. They will start the day by enjoying breakfast at the Real Federación de Fútbol, Las Rozas, where they will await the drivers, and from there will take a journey by car to the Jarama circuit to experience the sound and speed, always under the direct supervision of the vehicle owner and the organisation.

Afterwards, there will be a meal and they will be taken back to the starting point for an appreciation of the sponsors involved and to give the children a souvenir. Lastly, "Cars for smiles" will make a donation to a project undertaken by any of the paediatric services of the hospitals involved that improves the care of these paediatric patients in particular.

Marta del Olmo, director of the Patient Care and Information Service of the aforementioned hospitals explains that "the purpose of this event is to raise a smile from the children and adolescents with chronic diseases through providing a unique and different experience, and one in which their parents can also participate as spectators and enjoy it with them.

On this same topic Juan Antonio Álvaro de la Parra, General Manager of the hospitals managed by Quirónsalud in the public network of Madrid thanked "Cars for Smiles" "for the initiative and effort of all the drivers and volunteers involved who will contribute to 30 September being an unforgettable day for our youngest patients and their families".

For his part, Antonio Álvarez Cuéllar, responsible for "Cars for Smiles" Madrid points out "the high level of involvement that has been demonstrated by medical nursing and management staff, of the hospitals managed by Quirónsalud in the Madrid public network, in the selection of these young people who are going to participate, as well as supervision during the event. They have been involved in an unselfish way to make this a happy day for many children.