Camilla, rebirth after leukemia: "This is how I got my life back. Without research, I wouldn't be here."

Milan – Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment . Made possible by 60 years of cancer research by the AIRC Foundation . Numerous initiatives during the " Research Days" event, running until November 16 , in Milan and throughout Italy, are highlighting the progress of oncology research and raising new resources to support the work of 5,400 researchers. Research has significantly increased the chances of recovery: approximately 50% of people who receive a diagnosis can recover, regaining the same life expectancy as someone of the same age and conditions who has never been ill. Camilla Mancastroppa , 25, was diagnosed with acute biphenotypic leukemia in January 2024. She is being treated by Luca Vago, associate professor of Medicine at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan and an AIRC researcher.

A "snag," as she describes it with a smile, that led her to interrupt her work and her ordinary life . After a long journey, including chemotherapy and a transplant, she left the hospital in July. "In the hospital, I wanted to live ... Now I'm living in the present, I'm alive and aware that without research, perhaps I wouldn't be here today, or I would have gotten here in a worse way ," Camilla comments.

However, the incidence of many types of cancer remains high. AIRC is the leading nonprofit funder of oncology research in our country , providing approximately 70% of the total funding for competitive research. However, continued investment in research is essential. To support this effort, the "Research Days" initiative, kicking off at the Quirinale Palace where the "Beppe della Porta Award" was presented to Renato Ostuni, will see RAI and AIRC join forces until November 9th to create a veritable information marathon, celebrating 30 years of collaboration that began with "Stories under the Microscope," conceived by Pippo Baudo.

Furthermore, on Saturday, thousands of volunteers, led by Antonella Clerici , will distribute " Research Chocolates " in the city squares. These 200-gram packages of Venchi dark chocolate are available for a minimum donation of €15. Available while supplies last, they will also be available at branches of our institutional partner, Banco Bpm, and online at Amazon.it. They will help accelerate research, bringing new and essential resources to laboratories, and also promote well-being, thanks to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa.

The baton will then be passed to the stadiums with the " A Goal for Research " initiative, created with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Lega Serie A, Enilive, and AIA, promoted in collaboration with RaiSport and involving the Serie A teams from November 7th to 9th. The Italian national team will also be involved from November 13th to 16th. In short, investments contribute to producing tangible results, but it's important to continue supporting the work of researchers. Even with a donation. And as Camilla says, "Donate, donate blood, but also bone marrow , supporting its typing , to perhaps save someone on the other side of the world ." She has now resumed her studies in Foreign Languages ​​and Literature, and is still living.