«A SLAvadent for ALS» in support of the NeMO Center

Over 400 guests attended the Niguarda Hospital in Milan on 28 January for the solidarity show «A SLAvadent for ALS», in support of NeMO in Milan, the expert center on ALS and neuromuscular diseases, which celebrated its sixteenth year of activity. The event combined the talent of Milanese comedy and the excellence of Italian cuisine to give “a slap in the face to ALS”, precisely with that frank and ironic way of speaking in the Lombard dialect. The comedian Enrico Bertolino, creator and artistic director of the event, comments: «Defending rights is everyone's responsibility, not just others. The “slavadent” was what my father promised if I didn't behave well and for the same reason we thought of giving “a slap in the face to ALS”, with an evening that wanted to be a mixture of solidarity, laughter and friendship”

The stage set up in the reception areas of the Niguarda Hospital saw Enrico Bertolino on stage together with other friends of the Milanese theatre, including Ale and Franz, Raul Cremona and the JaGa Pirates, which gave the audience moments of comedy, irony and unforgettable performances. The music by Tiziano Cannas Aghedu and Raffaele Kohler and the graphics by Enrico Bettella they helped make the evening unique and full of fun. The idea was born last September, when Bertolino met the NeMO Center together with the InterNati, the group of friends and Inter fans. Among them is Luca Leoni, one of the most passionate InterNats, who faces his greatest battle against ALS at NeMO. Hence the challenge of bringing a smile to those who live in the hospital wards every day, as a patient or as an operator, involving the city in a concrete commitment. And the response from the city of Milan was immediate and warm, with the participation of patients, clinicians, operators, donors and over 50 volunteers. Together to contribute to the objective of the evening: to support research on ALS NeMO of Milan, which currently has 14 clinical studies on the disease and takes care of 1,500 patients, of which 600 with ALS.

Alberto Fontana, president of the NeMO Clinical Centers network, declares: «Our journey that began in Milan sixteen years ago has taken us throughout Italy, but the heartfelt presence at the invitation of our friend Enrico Bertolino confirms to us, once again, that great goals can only be achieved together. We will continue our commitment to ALS research, investing resources and energy to provide treatment responses and discover everything we still don't know about the disease.”

The event received the institutional patronage of AISLA, the national patients' association, which represents the 6 thousand people and families living with ALS in Italy. And thanks to the precious collaboration of the SLAFOOD Association, the guests were welcomed byaperitif created by 10 great chefs, who responded on a voluntary basis to the call of their president, Davide Rafanelli, a patient of the NeMO Center, whose life experience with ALS is a contagious testimony of strength. The team of professionals made their art and raw materials available free of charge for the creation of the finger foods, offering a culinary experience of the highest level, with the transformation of the hospital gallery into a true foyer of taste. Among the protagonists of this magic: Cristian Welcome – Executive Chef La Filanda; Roberto Carcangiu – Chef and President of APCI Italy; Fabrizio Ferrari – Chef Consultant 1 Michelin star; Alberto Laterza – APCI Chef Lab; Marco Pedron – Pastry Chef; Francesco Pucci – Chef and President of APCI Calabria; Elio Sironi – Executive Chef Ceresio7; Antonio Sorrentino – Executive Chef Sebeto Group; Roberto Valbuzzi – Executive Chef Crotto Valtellina; Fabio Zanetello – Brand Ambassador l'Alberghiera. «The evening was an expression of the value that the Niguarda Hospital represents for the city, a place of treatment, research and culture for health. And in this path the NeMO Center combines competence and innovation, placing the value of the person at the centre. This is why we shared this solidarity project, grateful to all those who brought their art into these care spaces, capturing the whole message of Vita” – he comments Mario Melazzini, Medical Director of the ASST Grande Niguarda Metropolitan Hospital. A great charity evening, therefore, which came to life under the glass vault of the South Gallery of the Niguarda Hospital, transforming the daily care facilities into a theater of solidarity and inviting everyone to raise their gaze to feel part of the same sky. Fulvia Massimelli, President of AISLA: «We are grateful to all the guests, artists, authorities and volunteers who made this unique event possible. Our presence, as a community of patients, is first of all a commitment to continue to raise public awareness of our rights and support research on ALS.” The event was made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of Jesurum Leoni Comunicazione, L'Alberghiera Medagliani, Eurocoltellerie, Gierrelift, Overline and Vivi il Dolce. The technical services were provided by La Casa dei Sapori, MG SERVICE, Progeni SPA and Coop Service.

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