Luz Saúde – in the scope of the celebrations of its 20 th anniversary with the initiative “20 years, 20 causes” – supports the Christmas Campaign of Associação Salvador, a Private Institution of Social Solidarity (IPSS) that works towards the promotion of the social integration of people with motor disability. We have acquired 3.000 “solidarity hats” of the association (Christmas hats in different colours), that are being distributed in Paediatrics consultations in the units of Hospital da Luz network, thus contributing to get wheelchairs for two persons. Associação Salvador was established in 2003 by Salvador Mendes de Almeida, who launched the project after suffering a car accident which left him paraplegic. The mission of the institution is “to promote the inclusion of people with motor disability in society and improve their quality of life, potentiating their talents and sensitize to equal opportunities”. Along these 17 years, the association has developed several initiatives, always different and ambitious, with excellent results, supporting around 450 beneficiaries each year, in areas such as adapted sports, allocation of equipment and professional integration, besides promoting convivial events to raise the awareness of young people and the society in general, among others. The association receives numerous support requests from people with motor disability and, not being able to give a positive answer to all of them, tries to learn more about each case, according to previously set criteria and requirements. Two of its initiatives are the annual campaign Barrete Solidário (Solidarity Hat), to raise funds during Christmas – this year having for motto “Let’s give more colour to Christmas and those in need” – and Ação Qualidade de Vida (Quality of Life Initiative), that supports people with motor disability and no financial means to materialize individual projects. Through the acquisition of 3.000 “solidarity hats”, Luz Saúde materializes the dream of 43 year-old Cláudio Gomes, from Coimbra – who requested support to Associação Salvador to get an adapted wheelchair for the practise of handball and be able to continue competing. And in cooperation with another company, Luz Saúde helps to satisfy the request of 42 year-old Hugo Maia, from Paço de Arcos – who is a wheelchair basketball champion and needed new equipment to be able to maintain the highest level and integrate once again the National Team, that will compete in the European Championship of 2021. Exhibition at Hospital da Luz Lisboa interior garden Furthermore, until January 8, an art exhibition will be open to the public, in Hospital da Luz Lisboa interior garden, the sale of works reverting entirely to the projects of Associação Salvador. So, this Christmas, Luz Saúde can also help giving more colour and changing the life of those in need.
