Cystic fibrosis, “Research on pedals” also passes through Bisceglie – BisceglieLive.it

There are just a few days left until the long-awaited appointment with Research on pedalsthe awareness event on cystic fibrosis, the most widespread serious genetic disease in Europe, without yet a definitive cure, born from an idea of Oronzo De Tommaso, delegate of the Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Research of Brindisi Torre, father of a girl with cystic fibrosis, who has made his passion for cycling a driving force to raise funds for research.

The charity initiative, now in its fourth edition, is sponsored by the Province of Brindisi, the Municipalities of Torre Santa Susanna, Latiano and Palo del Colle and the ATSBR4 Consortiumwith the media partnership of Idea Radio, Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno and Radio Ciccio Riccio. This year, the solidarity ride will cross the entire Apulian territory from 25 to 29 April to maintain high attention on the disease and on the importance of supporting research, along a route in stages from Torre Santa Susanna (BR) to Alberobello (BA). They will also be there together with Oronzo De Tommaso on two wheels Rosario Grasso, FFC Research volunteer in Sicily e Virginia Flowers, FFC Research delegate in Florence, both amateur cyclists, also with cystic fibrosis, and Roberto CauFFC Research delegate in Siniscola in Sardinia.

An exceptional testimonial will also ride with them for the first time, Carlo Calcagni, Colonel of the Roll of Honor of the Italian Army and award-winning Paralympic athletewho just two weeks ago won 3 gold medals at the Jesolo 2024 International Paralympic Athletics Grand Prix and 3 military world champion titles: “The gift is a priceless value, the ultimate purpose of my life: what is greater than giving yourself freely to others without asking for anything in return? – he declares Carlo Calcagni – By participating in this initiative, I can donate my time to an important cause and above all contribute to raising funds for research. As a patient suffering from a serious chronic, degenerative and irreversible pathology, I am aware of the centrality of research and how fundamental it is to support and finance it. And I am happy to do it through a vehicle of aggregation, inclusion and solidarity such as sport, which saved my life, making me strong and resilient, teaching me that united we always win and that medals acquire more value if shared for a common goal”.

The ride will start Thursday 25 April with meeting at 8:00 in Torre Santa Susanna, in Piazza Umberto I, for the ribbon cutting with the institutional greetings of president of the Province of Brindisi, Honorable Antonio Matarelli, of the Mayor of Torre Santa Susanna, Hon. Michele Saccomanno and of Dr. Antonio Calabrese, President of the ATS BR4 Consortium. FFC Ricerca volunteers will also be present at the start with awareness and fundraising stands, gadgets and clown therapy. At 9.30 am the cyclists will officially set off accompanied by the cycle ride of “It was the heart of Antonio Bianco with open arms” and to the notes of the Italian anthem of the children of the municipal community center “Il Cappellaio Matto” towards Latian, Mesagne, Toasts And Grottaglie. Also on April 25th, at 9.30 am, the Brindisi Tennis Club will promote a solidarity doubles tournament in support of the initiative. The cycling champion will also join the team at the start from Grottaglie on Friday 26 April Andrea Gurayev and together they will pass by Martina Franca with a stop at the Grassi school institute to continue up to Massafra. Saturday 27 April departure from Massafra with stops in Castellaneta, Gravina and I arrive at Altamura with a welcome from the Mayor. On Sunday 28 April the day will open with a visit to Cerignola FC Center with the participation of the “SOS Sorriso Clowntherapy Cerignola” Group. Cyclists will continue towards Stornara, Ortanova, Foggiato get to San Giovanni Rotondo. The last day of the tour will start again on Monday 29 April Palo del Colle along the stages of Living Water of the Sources And Saint Michael of Bariwith expected arrival at 4.00 pm in Alberobello, in Largo Martellotta for the final party. At each stage, cyclists will be welcomed by volunteers from the FFC Ricerca Delegations and Support Groups, who for the occasion will promote fundraising and information events and initiatives in the area. The inaugural charity dinner will be held on Wednesday 24 April at “La casina dei nonni” in Oria, with the participation of the singer Swami The Rosegirl with CF, who participated in the television talent show “You are worth it”.

“We are proud that Carlo Calcagni wanted to participate in this Charity Bike Tour which aims to raise awareness in the area about the importance of research. – he claims Oronzo De Tommasocreator of the initiative – We wanted to contact all the FFC Research Delegations present in Puglia with a view to deepening knowledge of this genetic disease, also called ‘invisible disease’, which affects over 6,000 people in Italy, of which approximately 30% are unfortunately still orphans of therapy. ”

Cystic fibrosis alters the secretions of many organs, contributing to their deterioration. The bronchi and lungs suffer the most damage: dense mucous membranes inside them tend to stagnate, generating infection and inflammation which over time can cause respiratory failure.

“The sport – he declares Virginia Flowerstestimonial of the ride – it is both tiring and doubly useful for CF patients, it helps to optimize all vital resources, facilitating, thanks to physical activity, better respiratory and cardiovascular function, also favoring the psychological and social aspects essential for combating the disease, bringing us as close as possible possible to a normal life”.

“With this appointment – goes on Rosario Grassoanother testimonial of the initiative – we will support the mission of the Foundation and of all of us, to improve the quality and length of life of all people with cystic fibrosis thanks to scientific research, and to defeat the disease”. Anyone wishing to join this cause will be able to do so symbolically adopting some sections of the path to finance research, through Retedeldono.it

“In less than two weeks “Research on pedals” will begin, a splendid event in which I participated already in 2023 in my Sardinia. – he claims Roberto Cau, FFC Research delegate – The event enriched me positively towards social issues more than I already was. Thanks to my wonderful traveling companions Virginia, Rosario and Oronzo I fully learned the meaning of the “gift”. Donating fills your soul, makes you feel good and above all helps to change a life. A commitment made from the heart to achieve a cure for everyone, one step at a time”.

Special thanks to Tre Emme, the main sponsor of the initiative, and to Gaetano Giordano Srl, Ital bio Energi and Ital Power Energia who generously supported this new edition of Research on pedals.

THE TIMELINE AND STAGES

Day 1 – Thursday 25 April (90 km) Torre Santa Susanna-Grottaglie

8:00 am: Meeting point at Torre Santa Susanna, Piazza Umberto I: institutional greetings at the ribbon cutting with the extraordinary participation of the testimonial Carlo Calcagni and the singer Swami La Rosa. On the occasion of the departure, sports performances of volleyball, five-a-side football and personal defense by the sports associations ASD New Volley Torre, ASD Amatori Gioventù Sport Torre and FCA Academy Martial Arts. Also present at the start were the associations: ANT, CUAMM Salento, AVIS, La consulta, Il Cappellaio Matto, Il Melograno, Le Fenici, Cooperativa Sociale Solidalia, Teranga, Cif, Difesa Civile, “ERA – the heart of Antonio Bianco with open arms” .

9.30 am: Departure from Piazza Umberto I

10.00 am: Arrival in Latiano, public gardens via Roma, welcome by the FFC Ricerca support group

Passage to Mesagne

12.00 pm: Arrival in Brindisi at Colonne Romane in viale Regina Margherita. The councilor for Sport Lidia Penta will be there to welcome the caravan together with the municipal administration. And with them: the Italian Red Cross, Feder Sport of Confcommercio Brindisi, ASD Studio 19, the FIAB Brindisi and Friends Bike cycling groups, the Casale comprehensive institute, the Mariacristina di Savoia cultural conference, ADMO, AIDO and AVIS.

1.00 pm: Brindisi, transfer to the Brindisi Tennis Club

4.00 pm: Arrival in Grottaglie, reception of the FFC Research Delegation of Grottaglie

8.30pm Charity dinner

Day 2 – Friday 26 April (52 km) Grottaglie – Massafra

8.30 am: Meeting in Grottaglie, BMC Manigrasso dealer, presence of the cycling champion Andrea

Gurayev and the testimonial Carlo Calcagni

9.30 am: Departure

11.00 am: Arrival in Martina Franca, at the Grassi school institute

3.00 pm: Arrival in Massafra, via Livatino, at the Town Hall with reception of the FFC Research Delegation

8.30pm: Charity dinner

Day 3 – Saturday 27 April (71 km) Massafra – Altamura

8:00 am: Departure from Massafra, passage to Castellaneta

11.00 am: Arrival in Gravina, arrival at the former slaughterhouse via San Sebastiano, reception of the FFC Research Support Group

3.00 pm: Altamura, via Bari, Piazza Unità D’Italia. Meeting with the Mayor.

Day 4 – Sunday 28 April (86 km) – Cerignola – San Giovanni Rotondo

10.00 am: Meeting with the doctors of the FC reference center of Cerignola and with the “SOS Sorriso Clownterapy” group in Cerignola. Also present will be: Inner Wheel Cerignola, Centro Ascolto mons. A. Palladino, Cerignola 1 Tornado Scout Group with entertainment, magic and juggling, gadgets, balloons and promotion to support research. Finally, a donation is expected from the aforementioned associations.

Departure at 12.30pm: Stops in Stornara, Ortanova and Foggia

4.00 pm: Arrival in San Giovanni Rotondo, viale Cappuccini, Chiesa San Pio, reception of the FFC Research Delegation

7.30pm Conference on cystic fibrosis “Prevention, diagnosis and treatments” in Piazza dei Martiri

8.30pm: Food stands managed by the “Cuochi Gargano e Capitanata” Association in collaboration with local activities and live music

Day 5 – Monday 29 April (93 km) Corato – Alberobello

8:00 am departure from Corato, stops: BisceglieMolfetta, Giovinazzo, Bitonto

10.30 am: Arrival in Palo del Colle, Piazzale Santa Scorese sports center, reception of the FFC Research Delegation with the participation of volunteers, Dr. Onofrio Laselva, university researcher expert in cystic fibrosis and Dr. Anna Fontana, social worker expert in child protection and president of the Palo del Colle research support group. Presence of primary school students.

Followed by stops in Acquaviva delle Fonti and San Michele di Bari

4.00 pm arrival in Alberobello, in Largo Martellotta. The cyclists of Team Eracle will join the bikers to travel the final km of the tour together. FFC Ricerca volunteers and representatives of the municipal administration will be present at the finish line.

In the evening, final charity dinner at Tenute Ivone (Alberobello).