Rome, Italy – As the Lega Basket Serie A and Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro (LNP) prepare for games this weekend, March 28th and 29th, both leagues are joining forces with Fondazione AIRC (Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro) for the second edition of “A Canestro per la Ricerca” – a campaign dedicated to raising awareness and funds for cancer research. The initiative will see players, coaches, staff, and referees across all 70 teams in Italy’s top two basketball divisions actively encourage fans to support the cause.
The campaign aims to mobilize the entire basketball community in Italy, fostering a sense of collective responsibility in the fight against cancer. The goal, as stated by organizers, is to make cancer increasingly curable through continued research and preventative measures. Fans can contribute to the effort by donating to the dedicated fundraising number 45521 via SMS or landline, or by visiting the AIRC website at airc.it.
This weekend’s games will feature visible displays of support. Coaches and technical staff will wear the AIRC coccarda (ribbon), while team captains will sport “A Canestro per la Ricerca” t-shirts during warm-ups. These symbolic gestures are intended to highlight the leagues’ and teams’ commitment to the mission of Fondazione AIRC. Broadcasters will also amplify the message during game coverage, and teams will share content on social media platforms to further extend the campaign’s reach.
The effort directly supports the work of 5,000 researchers at AIRC, who are engaged in projects across 96 public institutions, university laboratories, hospitals, and research centers throughout Italy. These researchers are focused on improving cancer treatments, developing new diagnostic tools, and implementing preventative strategies. Fondazione AIRC has invested over 2.7 billion euros in cancer research over the past sixty years, contributing to significant advancements in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, and ultimately increasing survival rates.
The connection between athletic lifestyle and cancer prevention was also emphasized. Studies suggest that up to 40% of new cancer cases could be preventable through healthy behaviors. The “0-5-30” rule – 0 cigarettes, 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, and 30 minutes of physical exercise – is being promoted as a practical guideline for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Dr. Luigi Nezi, a researcher with a project funded by AIRC at the Istituto Europeo di Oncologia, drew a parallel between basketball and scientific research. “In basketball, you win by continuing to shoot, even after many errors. In research, it’s the same: every failed attempt isn’t a defeat, but a necessary step towards knowledge,” he explained. His team is currently working on a project focused on colorectal cancer, aiming to personalize therapies based on individual patient profiles.
Maurizio Gherardini, President of Lega Basket Serie A, stated, “Lega Basket confirms its support for AIRC with the ‘A Canestro per la Ricerca’ initiative. We want to convey, together with the LBA clubs and thanks to their availability, the importance of raising awareness about prevention. Research has been able to apply increasingly effective methodologies, and a lifestyle attentive to diet and physical activity is at the base of the daily culture of athletes. We are confident that the messages our athletes deliver through the official social channels of the Clubs and LBA will have a useful impact on young people and new generations.”
Francesco Maiorana, President of Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro, added, “Sport is not only competition, results, or spectacle, but also a community of shared values such as respect, commitment, solidarity, and teamwork. It is from this awareness that LNP’s support for the project promoted together with AIRC for the fight against tumors arises. Basketball, like all sports, has an extraordinary ability to connect with people, unite different generations, and create a sense of belonging that goes beyond the playing field. Every game, every training session, every athletic gesture is also a message: one of determination, resilience, and confidence in the future – the same principles that guide scientific research and the daily work of those fighting cancer. For LNP, supporting AIRC means strengthening research, but also contributing to the dissemination of a culture of prevention and awareness. It means transforming the visibility of sport into a concrete tool to raise awareness, inform, and involve the public.”
The overarching message of the campaign is clear: to defeat cancer, a team effort is essential. Every contribution, no matter how small, strengthens the collective fight. Fans are encouraged to donate via SMS to 45521 or through the AIRC website at airc.it. “Every shot counts, every donation makes us stronger. Help us make a basket for research!”
Fondazione AIRC, established in 1965, continuously supports independent cancer research, aiming to translate scientific discoveries into new cures. The organization supports the work of 5,000 scientists across nearly 100 institutions nationwide, selecting projects through a rigorous peer-review process. A network of 17 regional committees, 20,000 volunteers, and the support of 4.5 million donors make AIRC a national foundation dedicated to mobilizing society, the scientific community, businesses, and institutions in the fight against cancer.
The Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) organizes and manages Italy’s top professional basketball league, overseeing competitions such as Serie A, the Coppa Italia, and the Supercoppa Italiana. The LNP (Lega Nazionale Pallacanestro) manages the Serie A2 and Serie B Nazionale championships, coordinating and developing basketball activities for affiliated clubs.
What’s Next: The “A Canestro per la Ricerca” campaign will be fully active during the games played on March 28th and 29th. Further updates and fundraising totals will be available on the AIRC website (airc.it) in the coming days.
Share your support for this important cause and let us know how you’re contributing to the fight against cancer in the comments below!
