On Saturday, January 25, the "Arance della Salute" (Oranges for Health) initiative returns to Italian squares, marking the official start of the sixtieth anniversary of the AIRC Foundation, now the main private funding body for independent cancer research in Italy.

Volunteers will distribute net bags of red oranges (minimum donation 13 euros), jars of Sicilian IGP red orange marmalade (minimum donation 8 euros), and jars of orange blossom honey (minimum donation 10 euros).

In the province of Trieste, distribution points will be set up at the following locations: Via Dante at the corner of Via S. Nicolo, Campo San Giacomo, Piazzale Rosmini, Via Nazionale - Opicina, Torri d'Europa Shopping Center, and Piazza Marconi (Muggia).

To find the nearest distribution point: arancedellasalute.it

A symbol of healthy eating, red oranges are rich in vitamin C: just one orange provides more than two-thirds of the daily requirement of this essential vitamin. Numerous studies have shown the importance of healthy habits in reducing cancer risk. Up to 40% of new cancer cases may be preventable through healthy behaviors such as not smoking, staying physically active, choosing a balanced diet, and adhering to recommended vaccinations and early diagnosis screenings.

Yet in Italy, 24% of adults smoke, 33% are overweight, 10% are obese, and 18% consume alcohol in quantities that pose health risks. Additionally, there has been an increase in sedentary lifestyles, rising from about 23% in 2008 to 28% in 2023. (Source: AIOM, I numeri del cancro in Italia 2024).

Advances in cancer survival, made possible by prevention, early diagnosis, and increasingly advanced therapies, once again confirm that research is the key to fighting this disease. Data from cancer registries show a steady increase in prevalence, meaning the number of people alive after a diagnosis. It is now estimated that about half of those diagnosed with cancer could be cured, recovering the same life expectancy as those who have not been ill. (Source: AIOM, I numeri del cancro in Italia 2024).

The AIRC Foundation has renewed funding of over 141 million euros to support independent research, backing 673 innovative projects, 90 scholarships for young talents, and 8 special programs. 29 million euros are dedicated to the development of IFOM, the Molecular Oncology Institute of the Foundation and an international center of excellence. Over 5,400 doctors and scientists working in nearly one hundred public institutions across the country—university labs, hospitals, and other research centers—will be able to carry out innovative projects for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.