by EH
On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day, the AIRC Foundation is highlighting the critical importance of adopting healthy habits, including quitting smoking, the leading preventable cause of death. Despite the grim statistics, smoking remains widespread in Italy, with approximately 10.5 million smokers, including many young people. Against this backdrop, an innovative event is set to take place, bringing together sports, health, and community spirit.
On June 15 and 16, Trieste will host “Basket for Research,” a dynamic initiative conceived by basketball star Stefano Bossi in support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Committee of the AIRC Foundation. This event aims to blend the excitement of sports with a robust message of cancer prevention and research support.
A Weekend of Basketball and Beyond
The two-day event promises an engaging program of basketball tournaments and activities designed to attract participants and spectators alike. The agenda includes a 5×5 under-17 male category tournament, a 3×3 senior male and female category tournament, and a special 5×5 Memorial Dario Bossi game, all to be held in the specially arranged Piazzale Straulino.
Alongside the competitive matches, attendees can look forward to free throw competitions, face painting for children, and the distribution of event-branded t-shirts. The festive atmosphere is aimed at fostering a community spirit while underscoring the significance of cancer research and healthy living.
Opening Night: Charity Dinner
The event will kick off with a special charity dinner on June 14 at Eataly, the main partner of the event. The dinner will feature the participation of artist Andro Merkù and will include a charity lottery offering prizes such as weekend getaways, dinners at local restaurants, and luxury items like watches and trolley bags. Tickets for the lottery, priced at 5 euros, are already available at the AIRC office in Trieste, with proceeds directly supporting cancer research.
Stefano Bossi’s Vision
“Our initiative aims to unite the world of sports and cancer research,” says Stefano Bossi, a player for Pallacanestro Trieste and a councilor for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Committee of the AIRC Foundation. “Everyone has been touched by cancer, either directly or through loved ones. A diagnosis can be incredibly destabilizing for a family. I know that research and prevention are the only possible answers. ‘Basket for Research’ was created to invite everyone to act concretely to make a difference, both for themselves and others, by adopting healthy habits and supporting the extraordinary work of our scientists.”
Bossi hopes that this event will become a regular fixture in Trieste’s calendar, reinforcing the bond between basketball and cancer research for years to come.
AIRC’s Role in Cancer Research
The AIRC Foundation remains the backbone of oncological research in Italy, with a significant investment of over 143 million euros in 2024 alone, funding 695 research projects, 93 scholarships, and 15 special programs. The foundation also supports the IFOM, the AIRC Foundation’s Institute of Molecular Oncology, a center of international excellence. Approximately 6,000 doctors and scientists backed by AIRC are currently working in 102 predominantly public institutions across Italy, including university laboratories and hospitals. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, AIRC is supporting 23 research projects and 3 scholarships, with a total investment of over 2.5 million euros.
How to Participate
Interested participants can join the basketball tournaments on June 15 and 16 with a registration fee of 20 euros. For more information and to register, contact Gianpaolo at 345-4532648. To attend the charity dinner with the solidarity lottery on June 14 at 8:00 PM, contact the AIRC Foundation FVG Committee at 347-7524750.
As Trieste gears up for this unique event, it stands as a testament to the power of community and sports in driving forward the critical mission of cancer research and prevention.
