The units within Hospital da Luz Network are active partners in the community they are inserted in: promoting access to differentiated healthcare and developing social responsibility actions that contribute to a healthier future of the population, specially destined to those in more vulnerable situations. In the context of the International Human Solidarity Day, celebrated every year on December 20, teams from several Hospital da Luz units visited social solidarity institutions taking them much necessary goods and providing a few special moments. The International Human Solidarity Day was established by the United Nations in 2005. Solidarity was identified in the UN Millennium Declaration as a fundamental value of the 21 st century “to challenge the growing inequalities and promote a spirit of combat against poverty”. Celebrating union in diversity, raising public awareness to the importance of solidarity and encourage new initiatives towards the eradication of poverty are the main goals of this day. Now learn about our solidarity actions on this date. Casa do Regaço in Póvoa de Varzim Hospital da Luz was on December 18 at Casa do Regaço, a temporary reception centre for children and youths at risk, run by the Póvoa de Varzim delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross. Inaugurated in 2006, Casa do Regaço operates as a home for children and youth, besides developing initiatives to promote empowerment and autonomy, counting with the support of the city council and several partners in the community – namely Hospital da Luz, that has a protocol since 2004 englobing (juvenile) residents and collaborators of the institution providing discounts in health services. On that day, Pedro Linhares and Mónica Azevedo (respectively the general director and marketing director of Hospital da Luz Póvoa de Varzim) handed over to Casa do Regaço, represented by its technical director Sara Moreira, equipment and material for clinical use (mobility and monitoring devices, and first aid care), to reinforce the health follow-up, comfort and welfare of the children and youths hosted here. Moreover, Hospital da Luz will provide speech therapy consultations. Each child also received a Lu plush toy, handed personally by Hospital da Luz mascot. Lu’s visit was a great joy, and we have left this special home with a heart full. O Nosso Pilar, Vila Real Founded in 2018 by a group of friends, the social support association O Nosso Pilar is a private social solidarity institution in Vila Real, focused on providing supportive assistance to the community, in particular children and youths. Presently, it supports 20 families, englobing 32 children between 2 and 18 in regular need of help. On December 22, Hospital da Luz Vila Real delivered different goods and equipment needed by the institution (namely first aid kits, hygiene and welfare items, baby bottles, baby formula, and diapers, among others) , besides Lu plush toys. A protocol was also celebrated providing benefits / discounts in all health services for the children and respective families, as for the association collaborators and immediate family. In the photo, Célia Castro (marketing and communication department of Hospital da Luz Vila Real), Tânia Guedes (head nurse of the hospital), Teresa Ferreira (social assistant of the association), Samuel da Costa Migueis (president of the association), and Pedro Linhares (general director of the hospital). Casa da Criança, Guimarães Created in 2001, Casa da Criança – Child Support Association is a private social solidarity institution in Guimarães that accommodates temporarily children victim of abuse, negligence, or abandonment. With capacity to receive up to 15 children, it presently accommodates 12 (the youngest with 9 months and the oldest with 12 years old). As partner, Hospital da Luz has a protocol established with Casa da Criança providing benefits / discounts in all health services to the children, collaborators, and immediate family. On December 18, a delegation from Hospital da Luz Guimarães handed over several goods and equipment needed by the institution (namely first aid kits, thermometers, blood pressure monitors, hygiene and welfare items, baby bottles, baby formula, and diapers, among others), besides our Lu plush toys. For 2026, Hospital da Luz has made the commitment to provide the collaborators of the association training sessions in paediatric BLS (Basic Life Support). In the photo, Ana Abreu (general director of Hospital da Luz Guimarães), Vera Mendes (general coordinator of the association), Maria Joana Machado Prata (president of the association), and Teresa Moura (head nurse of the hospital). Casa-abrigo Vera Vida (Casa Vera Cruz), Aveiro The shelter-home Vera Vida, part of Casa Vera Cruz in Aveiro, receives women victim of domestic abuse and whenever necessary their juvenile children. Inaugurated in 2005, the home has capacity for 16 persons, having already sheltered 158 women and 162 children / youths. It maintains a 100% occupancy rate, receiving on average seven to eight families simultaneously. The victims come from different parts of the country and world, from different nationalities, ethnicities, and age groups. Many must leave behind their home, family, friends and even children, facing a difficult process of rupture. In a way, they are refugees in their own country. The mission of the home is to support and protect these families, helping them to start over without violence. This work has been possible throughout the years thanks to a network of partners, making Casa Vera Vida a reference in the sheltering of domestic violence victims. Hospital da Luz Aveiro offered a few household appliances and first aid material. In the photo, Clarinda Almeida (Casa Vera Cruz), Emília Lima (Casa Vera Vida), Pedro Beja Afonso (Hospital da Luz Aveiro managing director), Paula Hipólito (general director of Casa Vera Vida), and Ana Carina Silva (director of human resources of the hospital). Associação Calioásis, Coimbra Calioásis is an association that supports the families of children with cancer and other severe diseases, with several ongoing projects – one of them the Carrinha d’Encantar, a mobile unit that travels across the central region during the week, holding several recreational-therapeutical at home-activities for children and aesthetic-massage sessions for caregivers. To help such a special project, Hospital da Luz Coimbra offered a tablet and mobile sound column, toys (for children under five), different didactical and therapeutical material for the activities and other necessary items (such as sanitizers, masks, gloves, disposable gowns, paper rolls for stretchers, body creams, and first aid kits). In the photo, Anabela Figueiredo (executive director of Calioásis), Pedro Beja Afonso (Hospital da Luz Coimbra managing director), and Daniel Francisco (president of the association). Casa Rainha Santa Isabel, Odivelas Founded in 2009, Casa Rainha Santa Isabel, in Odivelas, is a shelter home for urgent and temporary accommodation of children and youths, operating in collaboration with the Social Security Office. The offer made by Hospital da Luz Clínica de Odivelas included several essential goods for the children hosted (between 2 and 14 years old), including clothes and also Lu plush toys which will certainly give them more comfort and joy this Christmas. In the photo, Sónia Ribeiro (marketing and communication of the clinic), Ana Gonçalves (physiotherapist of Casa), Patrícia Alvarez (managing centre director of Clínica), and Naida Correia (physiotherapist of Casa). Associação para o Bem-Estar Infantil, Vila Franca de Xira The Hospital da Luz Clínica in Vila Franca de Xira promoted a fund raising among its collaborators which was now handed over to ABEI – the association for child welfare. This is a private social solidarity institution that serves the community since 1975, with a focus on education, health, and the promotion and protection of children and youths at risk. We have delivered personal hygiene items and Lu plush toys, handed over to the children and youths in the four shelter homes of ABEI. Miguel Branco (director of ABEI), Joana Woss (managing centre director of Clínica), Rui Paz (responsible for the shelter homes), and Sónia Ribeiro (marketing and communication of Clínica). CERCIAMA, Amadora The collaborators of Hospital da Luz Clínica in Amadora and Odivelas organized among them a toy drive destined to children up to six years old supported by the Early Intervention unit of CERCIAMA – association for education, rehabilitation, capacitation, and inclusion, in Amadora. CERCIAMA is a social solidarity cooperative that supports children, youths and adults with intellectual disability or multiple disabilities, since 1976. The toys now donated will help the CERCIAMA team whose work views to promote sensorial, motor, and cognitive support for children with special needs. In the photo, Sónia Ribeiro (marketing and communication of both Hospital da Luz Clínicas), Ana Brás (CERCIAMA director), Patrícia Alvarez (managing centre of both Clínicas), and Vera Bastos (physiotherapist in CERCIAMA). Agrupamento de Escolas Lima de Freitas, Setúbal Hospital da Luz Setúbal delivered foods, first aid kits, and Lu plush toys, destined to families referenced by social assistants accompanying Lima de Freitas school group. This school group has eight families referenced, with a total of 19 children, aged between two months and 11 years old, requiring regular support. Hospital da Luz is now a member of the school group General Council, providing support in this context. In the photo, Rodolfo Marques (logistics director of the Hospital), Celeste Aldeias (teacher and pedagogical director of the school group), Paula Ribeiro (president of the provisional administrative commission of the school group), and Diogo Brites (managing centre director of the Hospital).
