Our past charitable efforts have included from reforestation of our forests to local food bank supplies, to help for Ukrainian refugees. From 2023, we decided our main contribution to a happy bear community will be related to health, and specifically sexual health.

We are happy to continue our partnership with Checkpoint Canarias, a new, free and much-needed STD testing and prevention centre in Maspalomas, led by our local LGBT+ community by means of ABSICAN association.

ABSICAN stands for Sexual Well-Being Association of the Canary Islands. Their team is opening this permanent, fast and free STD testing and prevention centre in Maspalomas, just 150 metres away from Yumbo Centre. Site has been secured, volunteer medical staff is ready and supplies are on the way. But our help and your donations will be needed to keep it running!

Checkpoint Canarias addresses the pressing need in Maspalomas for:

• free, fast and anonymous STD diagnosis
• friendly sexual health care
• blame-free advice on self protection and best practices

Even when every  sexually active person could benefit from this, we all know gay/bi men are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted diseases, which are still considered an stigma. For this reason, these men are sometimes reluctant to seek assistance from regular health services and family doctors. That’s why major gay events in Gran Canaria, such as Fetish Pride, Winter Pride and Bear Carnival are stepping in, asking visitors to give a hand at fundraising events, and informing on this new helpdesk for them.