Blim Records Joins the Cause of Casa Acreditar

The "Acreditar – Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Cancer" has significantly increased its accommodation capacity. The new house, built on land provided by the Lisbon City Council, can accommodate up to 32 families simultaneously, offering free housing during treatments at the IPO of Lisbon and other hospitals in the region.

With this expansion, the number of families hosted annually could increase from the current 45 to around 120, reflecting the growing need for support. Annually, around 400 new cases of childhood and youth cancer are diagnosed in Portugal.

Founded in 1994, Acreditar – Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Cancer, aims to minimize the impact of oncological disease on children, young people, and their families, offering free accommodation to displaced cancer patients. The association operates in four regional centers: Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto, and Funchal, and provides support in all stages of the disease, covering emotional, logistical, social, and legal aspects, among others. Acreditar advocates for the rights of children and young people with cancer, survivors, and their families, and promotes research in pediatric oncology. It has over 400 volunteers nationwide who offer their time and knowledge.

"Acreditar Homes normalize the lives of those who have been so deeply affected by the disease, and this is only possible thanks to the support of the entire society," said Margarida Cruz, the association's general director, in a statement. At the inauguration, Acreditar's president, João de Bragança, also highlighted that the construction of the new house "responds to a need, not a whim," referring to the "families weakened by the diagnosis of cancer in a small child or young person, who had to separate and live in a city far from home."

Since its inauguration in 2003, the institution has hosted 1,695 families. In 2023, it supported 711 families, with a significant 61% increase in economic support provided. The Casa Acreditar in Lisbon, in particular, has already hosted 436 families since it began operating in 2003, facing great pressure to accommodate more families.

The Acreditar Homes are essential for children and young people undergoing treatment and their families, who often need to travel from their homes to pediatric oncology reference centers.

To mark the inauguration of the new Casa Acreditar, a documentary titled “Where Hope Lives” was made, revealing the process of building the new house and including various testimonials from users, expressing their gratitude for the help received. Blim Records contributed to this cause by handling the sound of the documentary: “We believe that Acreditar Homes are essential for children and young people undergoing treatment and for their families, who often need to travel kilometers from their homes and who, without Acreditar's precious help, would have their lives much more difficult”, said Ricardo Ferreira from Blim Records, present at the inauguration.

You can contribute with your donation through the following methods (Portugal only):

MBWAY – 916 897 230

Bank transfer – PT50.0018.0355.0020.0013140.64 

"Be Solidary" – at the ATM or via MBWAY  

More information at acreditar.org.pt