From Boudry to Nimes, cycling race to support ‘Case Ail’ project

Eighteen days in the saddle. The goal is to pedal for almost 2,200 kilometers crossing 5 countries, from Germany to the United Kingdom, to raise funds for cancer patients. The “Country 2 Country 4 Cancer”the cycling relay organized by Bristol Myers Squibbper support member organizations of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)involves this year over 95 employees in Europe from 17 countries. The Italian team ‘Bikers4Hope’ will ride from today until September 11th from Boudry (Switzerland) to Nimes (France) for over 300 km, together with the team from Austria and Switzerland.

“This year we are proud to support, with the fundraising promoted thanks to the commitment of our riders, the ‘Case Ail’ project, created by Ail (Italian Association against leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma) – states Regina Vasiliou, Vice President, General Manager of Bristol Myers Squibb Italy -. The hematological patient must undergo long therapies, which can only be guaranteed by highly specialized Hematology Centers. The Ail Houses are real residential structures created to host, in a difficult moment of their lives, patients and families who live far from the treatment center: places where they can find welcome, comfort and all the necessary services without worrying about economic aspects. They are not only logistical points of reference, but also emotional, thanks to the comparison and sharing that arise with the volunteers and other families present”.

“The diagnosis of a blood cancer often has a devastating impact on the life of the patient and those close to him – says Giuseppe Toro, national president of Ail -. In addition to the emotional upheaval, the patient must also face a series of practical difficulties, which add to the stress of treatment. Improving the quality of life of the patient and their families is one of the objectives of our Association, and we have been doing it every day for 55 years, thanks to our 17,000 volunteers and the 83 Ail territorial sections that operate throughout the country”.

“One of the Ail main servicesable to give concrete answers to patients and caregivers – continues Toro – is represented by thefree hospitality at the Ail Houses to those who have to face long periods of treatment away from home, and to their families. Currently, there are 38 Ail sections that offer the service with 128 apartments and 5 residences in 88 real estate units, for a total of 670 beds. In 2023, 1,117 patients and 1,278 family members were hosted, for a total of 62,898 nights offered. Bristol-Myers Squibbthanks to the Country 2 Country 4 Cancer initiative, has been close to Ail for many years and we are very happy to be able to give a further boost to our hospitality activity at the Ail Houses also thanks to this important charitable initiative”.

It has been 11 years since the first edition of the C2C4C, born in 2014 in the United States – a note reports – Over time this important initiative has extended to Bristol Myers Squibb colleagues in Europe, Japan and Latin America. In these years more than 16 million dollars have been donated globally and, since the first edition of the European race in 2016, more than 3.1 million dollars have been donated to cancer patients.

“It is not a race, but a real team experience that demonstrates Bristol Myers Squibb’s commitment to patients, deeply rooted in our culture. The motivation of our employees to participate is personal – concludes Regina Vasiliou – They dedicate their time and pedal in memory of those who have lost their lives to cancer or for those who are facing the disease today. It is a great pride for me to represent a company committed to solidarity initiatives like this, an important incentive to unite and work together for those fighting the battle against cancer”.