MILAN – A thousand new cases of cancer are diagnosed in Italy every day and two million people (4% of the population) have previously been diagnosed with a tumour. Behind those numbers are the stories of real people who must learn to deal with the fear and uncertainty of what is a life-changing experience. Research is the only answer possible for them.
That's why this weekend, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, the world of football is joining the cancer research team with 'Un Gol per la Ricerca'. The initiative is promoted by the AIRC (Italian Association for Cancer Research) in collaboration the Lega Serie A, AIA (Italian Referees' Association), FIGC and TIM, which is giving up part of its stadium advertising space.
Footballers, coaches and referees invite fans to support the AIRC researchers' work by sending a text message to 45503 (in Italy only). Italian football's goal in teaming up with AIRC is to develop a new generation of talented researchers – the future 'stars' of cancer research.
Javier Zanetti, Stephan El Shaarawy and Claudio Marchisio are the faces of a TV advert promoting Un Gol per la Ricerca They are joined by Alessandro Del Piero, who is this year pulling on a white coat to become a 'researcher for a day'.
The Italian national team will also lend its support to AIRC for the forthcoming Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia in Milan on Sunday 16 November. With the FIGC's backing, the Azzurri will support cancer research through a series of initiatives – on the pitch and in the media – to get the fans involved.
