Tecnoglass & Promigas Rescue Colombian Student Suffering Cancer From Kazan, Russia
Barranquilla student Valeria Lucia Guerrero always dreamed of becoming a doctor, so it was a dream come true when she was awarded a scholarship at the Federal University of Kazan after completing a baccalaureate at the Experimental Institute of The Atlantic in Colombia. She was in her 6th semester of medical studies in Kazan, Russia when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
It was clear that Guerrero had to return to Colombia immediately to begin treatment, but in the middle of the global Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic, there are no commercial flights and government airspaces and borders are closed.
Colombian companies Tecnoglass (NASDAQ: TGLS), a manufacturer and exporter of glass & aluminum products; and Promigas, a distributor of natural gas for household, commercial and industrial use, teamed up to apply their influence where possible to bring Guerrero home.
“We are pleased to be able to help Valeria to return home soon and be able to carry out her treatment with her family,” said Christian Daes, COO of Tecnoglass.
Surprise scholarship
“Valeria is in the best time of her life with infinite dreams ahead and that is why during or after her treatment, if she decides to continue her medical career in Barranquilla, we are willing to grant her a scholarship at the Universidad del Norte so that she can successfully complete her university (studies),” said Eric Flesch, president of Promigas.
The two companies applied their resources and influence to get Guerrero from Kazan to Madrid, where she underwent assessments by the Spanish health authorities who screened her for Coronavirus symptoms, and also screened upon her arrival in Colombia.
The executives also recognized the support of the Colombian presidency and foreign ministry, namely President Ivan Duque and diplomat Karen Abudinen; and the Colombian Air Force, which is handling her actual evacuation to Barranquilla to reunite with her waiting family.
Photos courtesy Tecnoglass