by InTrieste
A regional supermarket chain, a major health authority, and a breast cancer support association have joined forces to raise money for research into one of the most common cancers affecting women.
The campaign, called “Sostieni la Ricerca” (“Support Research”), was unveiled Monday at Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine. Backed by Despar Nord, the initiative will channel donations collected throughout October at 76 Despar, Interspar, and Eurospar stores across Friuli Venezia Giulia into research led by the University Health Authority of Central Friuli (ASUFC) and the Udine branch of Andos, a national breast cancer support association.
Customers will be invited to round up their grocery bills at checkout, with the full proceeds directed toward studies on the “methylome,” a field examining chemical changes to DNA that can influence how cancer develops and responds to treatment. Researchers hope the work will enable faster, more precise diagnoses and more personalized therapies.
Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women in Italy, with more than 55,000 new cases nationwide in 2023, according to the National Cancer Registry. Friuli Venezia Giulia reports roughly 1,500 new cases annually, the highest incidence in the country. Still, the region also has one of Italy’s highest survival rates, with nearly 89.4 percent of patients living at least five years after diagnosis — above the national average.
At Monday’s presentation, regional health commissioner Riccardo Riccardi praised the partnership as “a concrete contribution” linking private-sector social responsibility with public healthcare excellence. Denis Caporale, ASUFC’s general director, said the effort reflected “a collaboration and a deep bond with the population,” expressing confidence that the fundraiser would help deliver tangible progress.
Medical leaders emphasized the importance of advancing research. Carla Cedolini, director of breast surgery at Santa Maria della Misericordia, noted that while survival rates have improved thanks to better diagnosis, surgery, and therapies, aggressive forms of the disease remain difficult to treat. “Our efforts are focused on accelerating diagnosis and identifying the most dangerous tumors in order to develop therapies as personalized and effective as possible,” she said.
Francesco Curcio, head of the hospital’s laboratory medicine department, added that studying DNA methylation could provide “valuable information on the onset and evolution of the disease, improving diagnostic precision and guiding treatment decisions.”
For Despar Nord, the initiative builds on 15 years of fundraising for regional health institutions and charities. The company has already contributed nearly €800,000 to hospitals and research centers across the region, as well as over €400,000 to volunteer organizations.
Company executives framed the campaign as part of their broader role in supporting the community. “This means continuing to develop our role as a social actor in the region,” said Fabrizio Cicero, Despar Nord’s regional director.
For patient advocates, the fundraising drive offers hope. “Every contribution represents a step forward toward new discoveries, more effective treatments, and a better quality of life,” said Mariangela Fantin, president of the Udine branch of Andos.
The campaign will run from October 1 to 31 across Friuli Venezia Giulia.
