Sla, support for Centro Nemo Milano from Ale&Franz to Bertolino

The Niguarda hospital transformed for one evening into a large solidarity theatre. It happened last night in the reception area of ​​the hospital on the occasion of the show “A Slavadent for ALS” to support the research and treatment activities of the Nemo Clinical Center in Milan, a point of reference for ALS and neuromuscular diseases which just yesterday – 28 January – 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. Star performers of the evening, Enrico Bertolino, Ale&Franz, Raul Cremona, the JaGa Pirates and many other artists flanked by 10 great chefs who responded to the call of the SlaFood Association.

“Defending rights is everyone's responsibility, not just others – the comment of Bertolino, creator and artistic director of the event – The 'Slavadent' was what my father promised if I didn't behave well and for the same reason we thought of give 'a slap in the face to ALS', with an evening that aimed to be a mixture of solidarity, laughter and friendship”. The idea – we read in a note – was born last September, when Bertolino got to know the Nemo Center together with the InterNati, a 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 at Nemo in Milan, which currently has 14 clinical studies on the disease and takes care of 1,500 patients, of which 600 with ALS.

“Our journey that began in Milan 16 years ago – recalled Alberto Fontana, president of the network of Nemo clinical centers – took us throughout Italy, but the heartfelt presence at the invitation of our friend Enrico Bertolino confirms 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 answers and discover everything we still don't know about the pathology.”

The event received the institutional patronage of Aisla, the National Patients' Association, which represents the 6,000 people and families living with ALS in Italy. “We are grateful to all the guests, artists, authorities and volunteers who made this unique event possible – said Fulvia Massimelli, president of Aisla – Our presence, as a community of patients, is first of all a commitment to continue to raise awareness public opinion on our rights and support research on ALS”.

Thanks to the collaboration of the SlaFood Association, the guests were welcomed by an aperitif created by 10 great chefs who responded, on a voluntary basis, to the call of their president Davide Rafanelli, a patient of the Nemo Centre, whose life experience with ALS is a contagious testimony of strength. The team of professionals – the note reports – made art and raw materials available free of charge for the creation of finger foods, offering a culinary experience of the highest level, with the transformation of the hospital gallery into a real foyer of taste . Among the protagonists: Cristian Benvenuto – executive chef La Filanda; Roberto Carcangiu – chef and president of Apci Italia; 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 care, research and culture for health – underlines the Health Director Mario Melazzini – And in this path the Nemo Center combines competence and innovation, placing the center the value of the person. 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 life.”