ROZZANO (MILAN) (ITALPRESS) – A charge of hope, motivation, confidence signed Luciano Ligabue. A special afternoon for the young patients of the Cancer Center of Humanitas the one held by the Emilian rocker who told his story without filters, from the beginnings of his career to his successes, without neglecting the defeats, fundamental to grow and learn along the way. The meeting was organized as part of the AYA (Adolescents and Young Adults) project, one of the first experiences in Italy dedicated to cancer patients aged 16 to 39. Inaugurated in 2018 in the Cancer Center of Humanitas, AYA accompanies boys and girls by assisting them in daily difficulties, both in the hospital and in private, family and school-work life. The young person affected by cancer is helped to re-integrate into everyday life through psychological support and active participation in training sessions, fields days, and group activities. This is complemented by clinical and Research activities to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancers that, in this age group, are more aggressive and respond less to treatment. Working alongside the young AYA patients, a project supported by the Humanitas Foundation for Research, is the team of physicians and researchers led by Dr. Alexia F. Bertuzzi, head of sarcomas and neuroendocrine tumors at the Cancer Center of Humanitas, directed by Prof. Armando Santoro. It is in this context that activities of aggregation, moments of meeting and sharing are included in which the young patients experience moments of escape, serenity and lightheartedness together with artists from the world of entertainment and music: among them, Amadeus and his wife Giovanna, photographer Maki Galimberti, food blogger Marco Bianchi and many others have visited them. The hour dedicated to the meeting was spent among questions, advice, anecdotes and curiosities that involved Ligabue both artistically and humanly, through an intimate and meaningful exchange for the young patients. “I was ready to walk through the entrance of the Politeama Theater in Palermo but I had to give up the concert because of treatment”- Elisabetta recounts between tears of emotion and continues, “Then I arrived here in Humanitas to continue my treatment path and just yesterday I was discharged. Meeting you today resonates in me as a special gift. During my hospitalization, the playlist with your songs was my strength, my real cure.” Liga reaches out to hug her and says, “The credit is all yours. It is you who find the strength to face this battle. The songs become a spark, I am honored to know that in your case, these songs were written by me.” “I like to convey hope,” Ligabue admits, “Writing reaches all of you who listen to me but it also helps me so much to face the difficulties of life, even though I consider myself a very lucky person. I have the privilege to go on stage and experience the celebration of concerts around the world together with all of you who give me emotions every day.” The boys are ready to go back to the ward, the lucky ones back home, for treatment in the hospital there will be time. All with music in their hearts. “Thank you for this breath of fresh air” – says one of the boys. Ligabue greeted each of them personally, leaving a hug, a handshake and lots of dedications on notebooks, albums and T-shirts. “I will always carry this afternoon with me, thank you for reminding me what it means to really fight. Always keep up the fight.”(ITALPRESS).
Photo: Humanitas Press Office
