While Italy is well known for its eternal beauty, its dynamic creativity in fashion , art and design and least we see its rich history reaching back through the ages and of course its food it is also known for something else that needs to be recognized.
This “something” is its leadership in oncology and cancer research.
Italian led medical research in this field has become a center of excellence and for now 50 years the nexus of support has been the highly regarded American-Italian Cancer Foundation (“AICF”) which I am honored to be part of and deeply proud to be with my husband one of their sponsors.
Founded in 1980 upon the magnanimous generosity of the late Alessandro Montezemolo and the critical pioneering research of renowned breast cancer surgeon Umberto Veronesi.
It was Professor Veronesi who envisioned a partnership between Italy and the United States to expose young scientists to new ideas, trends ,and research techniques that would ultimately enrich the scientific community and increase international collaboration in the fight against cancer.
His groundbreaking research in the treatment of breast cancer served as the inspiration for AICF’s two core programs: the International Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Program, which funds the innovative research projects of young scientists, and the Mobile, No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program, which promotes breast cancer early detection and provides no-cost breast cancer screening services to women in need.
As an Italian, I am particularly proud of the Foundation’s post-doctoral fellowships. These fellowships are a critical component in advancing cancer research as they provide financial support for the post-doctoral cancer research of young talented Italian scientists pursuing research projects at major cancer center in the United States.
Since the Program inception in 1983, AICF has launched the careers of 359 young scientists who have been awarded 535 fellowships.
AICF’s Program differs from most other USA based research fellowship programs in that it focuses on providing opportunities for Italian researchers to train and conduct studies at the most well know cancer center un the USA.
An AICF research fellowship is awarded for one year period and each fellowship is in the amount of $40,000.
As a woman, I am honored to be part of an organization that is committed to making breast cancer screenings accessible to thousands of underprivileged women.
The goal of the AICF’s No-cost Breast Cancer Screening Program launched in 1987, is to save lives through early detection by providing screenings and breast health education to medically underserved women in the greater New York Area through the Mammogram Bus (Il “Bus Salvavita”) that travels in the poorest neighborhoods of the 5 boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island; virtually everyday. Women 40 years of age and older who have not had a mammogram in the last 12 months, and reside in New York City are eligible for these services. They are provided with mammograms, clinical breast exams and education on breast health. I can’t stress enough the importance of early breast cancer detection.
The mission of AICF’s Program is to decrease mortality from breast cancer among vulnerable populations by eliminating the economic, linguistic and cultural barriers to screening and replacing this with self awareness and individual accountability for one’s own healthcare.
I’ve always been a strong advocate of women’s rights and supporting women to control their own destiny. AICF empowers women to be proactive about their breast health and today, over 116,000 economically disadvantaged women have received comprehensive breast cancer screening services on our Mammogram Bus. The women examined are about approximately 4,000 per year.
Annually the AICF also awards the Prize for Scientific Excellence in Medicine to two world class scientists who have made important discovery in cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis and treatments.
Each winner is awarded a $50,000 prize.
Since 1984, 66 scientists have received financial accolade including the Noble Prize winning scientists, Rita Levi Montalcini and James P. Allison.
At its inception it was this Italian-American collaboration which was at the central thesis of the the organization this quickly mutated into a novel cross boarder incubator of new science and proactive application therein.
This fertile and evolving field became the “rasion d’etre” of AICF and the foundation soon evolved into a leader of community assistant in educating women on their personal health while providing mammogram testing to waves of women who could otherwise not afford to do and or were wholly unaware of the critical need of such testing hence saving countless lives in the process.
Simultaneously the organization funding base supported their evolving scientific board chaired for a number of years by the renown Italo American scientists in creating serial post doctorate fellowships in a myriad of specialist fields of oncology. The breath of which would have been unimaginable 43 years ago.
The manifold stories of gratitude of these tireless young intellectuals who are so dedicated to saving lives against this voracious disease takes one‘s breath away.
They recount how these fellowships affirm their dedication to their specialized craft but also provide the emotional tug knowing so many care and are prepared to fund these attempt to turn the tide.
Again there are serial illustrations where these fellowships have funded break through research in an increasing array of oncology many of which may appear arcane to the untrained eye save for those personally touched by these afflictions.
Make no mistake the work of the AICF is not a society affair but rather a mark of old warriors wagging war against a relentless killer. The C word is personal to so many and the work of the AICF is indeed a matter of life or death.
In my case I recently lost in March a very close friend, Carmela Santucci who fought for the past 3 years a virulent and relentless strain of ovarian cancer.
Carmela organized a very substantial donation in her name in the shadow of her death because she believed so much in this cause to defend life for all humanity not just herself.
I am profoundly proud of my association with AICF which now dates from 10 years – and has culminated in serving as the Master Ceremony MC of our annual benefit evening in New York which is a manifestation and union of all the Italians and Americans in this fight.
It is a potent exhibition of love for fellowman and an affirmation by all scientists and donors of how personal this war is.
This year it was truly emotional for me to be on the stage again after two years of devastating pandemic that upended everyone’s life on a global scale and to introduce incredible women and man who spend their lives fighting this very bad enemy.
We started our Benefit Dinner recognizing the extraordinary career and scientific accomplishments of Dr. Monica Bertagnolli, the 16th and first woman, Director of the National Cancer Institute, who was presented with the 2022 Alessandro di Montezemolo Lifetime Achievement Award.
We also congratulated the winners of the Alexander Bodini Foundation 2022 Prize for Scientific Excellence in Medicine: Dr. John di Persio, Professor at Washington University School of Medicine and Dr. Guillermina Lozano, professor and chair of Genetics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Claudio Basilico, Professor Emeritus at NYC Grossman School of Medicine, received a Special Recognition Award for his distinguished scientific career and longtime service to our organization.
In this incredible evening we also welcomed the newly elected Chairman of AICF’s Scientific Advisory Board , Dr. Massimo Loda, Professor & Chairman of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine.
A special thanks went to Dr. Virgilio Sacchini, Professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, who tirelessly and effectively led the Scientific Advisory Board for the past four years.
The humanity of the evening is unparalleled in my experience and the term “benefit” does no justice to its implications. It is an evening of selfless giving, reassurance and acclamation to these emerging leaders and thanks to the leadership of this organization whose sole focus is defeating this enemy for good.
The Board is led by Chairman Daniele Bodini who have given time, funds and name to a cause without fanfare. Daniele is the personification of the board which is comprised of Italians or Italo-Americans with roots in both worlds. The staff is led by Cristina Aibino.
In addition to Chairman Bodini, the board of leading benefactors include Lamberto Andreotti, Francesca Bodini, Gian Andrea Botta, Alberto Cribiore, Claudio Del Vecchio, Massimo Ferragamo, Mario Gabelli, Joseph Perella, Ottavio Serena and my husband Robert, all of whom worked closely and have been dedicated to-the cause for now decades.
Prior members still remembered fondly for all they did include our beloved Anna Bulgari, who sadly passed away a few years ago.
This is a cause of mind and heart and one all Italians can be proud of and one we all should back because it truly is of our pedigree and cultural and emotional DNA.
