An apple can be so much more than just a piece of fruit. For the past 20 years, Una Poma per la Vida has turned this simple gesture into a way to support people living with multiple sclerosis. And in 2026, all of the chain’s hotels in Barcelona— Hotel Balmoral, abba Rambla, abba Garden, and abba Sants —are joining the initiative.
A campaign with a 20-year history
“An Apple for Life” is the charity campaign organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation that fills Catalonia with apples bearing a message every year. The idea is simple: buy or give a charity apple to help fund the services the Foundation provides to people with multiple sclerosis and their families.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, this year’s edition features an illustration by artist Jordi Labanda and phrases designed for gift-giving, such as “These apples hold a seed of hope” or “These apples have heart, and they’re for you.” Supermarkets such as Bonpreu Esclat and producers such as Poma de Lleida are also participating in the campaign, along with a number of companies and hotels in Barcelona.
How to Participate
If you’re staying at any of these four hotels, you’ll find the charity apple at the front desk. Pick one up when you arrive or when you check out, and take home a small but meaningful gesture: each apple in this campaign serves as a reminder that research and support for people with MS need everyone’s help.
For our front desk teams, it’s also an opportunity to talk with guests about the campaign and the cause, and to help guests see Barcelona from inside our hotels with a little more heart.
Why This Cause Matters
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease with no cure that can affect everyday functions such as walking, speaking, or seeing. In Spain, about 60,000 people live with the disease, 12,000 of them in Catalonia.
Research is the greatest hope for curbing its impact and improving the lives of those who suffer from it. In the meantime, the Foundation works every day to support those affected. Thanks to the generosity of individuals and companies, it is able to offer:
- Neurorehabilitation centers, to maintain and improve the independence of people with MS.
- Support for people who have recently been diagnosed—a time when support and information are essential.
- Collaboration with companies to promote employment inclusion.
- Support for research to advance toward controlling the disease.
- Information and awareness campaigns to help society better understand MS.
You can join us, too
You don’t have to stay with us to get involved. There are several ways to support the campaign:
- Buy a charity apple at participating supermarkets.
- Give it as a gift through the campaign website, choosing the message you like best for the person you want to give it to.
- Become a volunteer for the campaign.
- Share the charity apple on social media so the cause reaches more people.
More information: unapomaperlavida.cat