At a time when some parts of the United States are cutting funding for scientific research to redirect resources to other priorities, others remain determined to protect it. For more than four decades, the American-Italian Cancer Foundation (AICF) has worked to expand access to cancer care and create opportunities for the next generation of medical researchers. Its annual fundraising gala brought together investors, scientists, diplomats and journalists at the Pierre Hotel in New York, raising more than $2 million in its 44th year.

Reviewing the foundation’s work over the past year, Chairman Daniele Bodini announced that more than 4,000 New Yorkers had taken part in its screening programs and that 17 young researchers, all in attendance, had received fellowships to pursue research projects in the United States. “Before tonight, we had already reached $1.4 million,” Bodini said. By the end of the evening, the total had surpassed $2.1 million.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Alessandro di Montezemolo Lifetime Achievement Award to John Elkann. The award recognizes individuals whose professional achievements and philanthropic commitment reflect the values of the AICF. In his acceptance speech, Elkann announced that he would support one of the foundation’s research fellowships in New York through the Allegra Agnelli Foundation. Chairman of Ferrari and Stellantis and CEO of Exor, Elkann is one of the leading figures in Italian business and carries forward a longstanding family tradition of philanthropy.

The AICF also recognized three leading figures in cancer research with its Prize for Scientific Excellence in Medicine: Silvia Formenti, Ronald DeMatteo and Raymond Deshaies.

Formenti, an Oncologist and Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Weill Cornell Medicine, is internationally recognized for her research into the relationship between radiation therapy and the immune system. DeMatteo, a Surgical Oncologist and Professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, has devoted much of his career to studying cancers of the liver, pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Deshaies, a biochemist and cell biologist, has focused on the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell function and protein degradation, developing new strategies to identify proteins involved in cancer.

The evening also provided an opportunity to introduce Nicola Fabbri as the new chairman of the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board. Fabbri presented the awards to the researchers.

The annual gala is the AICF’s principal fundraising event. Founded in 1980 by entrepreneur Alessandro Di Montezemolo and oncologist Umberto Veronesi, the foundation uses donations and auction proceeds to support two main initiatives.

Its International Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship Program gives young Italian researchers the opportunity to conduct research at leading cancer institutions in the United States. Its Mobile, No-Cost Breast Cancer Screening Program provides free mammograms and breast examinations to women in underserved communities across New York City’s five boroughs.

In 2024, the foundation also launched a free prostate cancer screening program, further expanding its efforts to make early detection and preventive care accessible to underserved communities.

 VNY Media / La Stampa Usa