What an edition of the Healiade it was!

2 stages:

• Bracciano on September 3rd
• Rome-Alba Adriatica from September 14th to 17th

A journey on two wheels, about 400 km long, which made us feel the closeness and participation of our supporters and which did not go unnoticed! Journalist Marcello Lardo he wrote about us on 9Colonne .

For the Foundation, September is a fundamental month, indeed, a golden month – the Gold September – because it's entirely dedicated to childhood cancer awareness, symbolized by a golden ribbon. In 2023, we wanted to celebrate this by combining this initiative with our LOOK BEYOND campaign, with which we aim to support the project. Sports and complex pediatric pathologies , created together with the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Hospital Foundation in Rome.

Sport can be a fundamental vehicle for recovery and rehabilitation from an oncological pathology, and not only, and the Healiade It's the perfect format to convey this message.

A message that was welcomed by the communities bordering Lake Bracciano.

(Photo of Anguillara Sabazia seen from the lake)

After two years of rain and clouds, finally, in 2023, the weather cleared, and the more than 120 cyclists gathered on the Argenti lakefront in Bracciano were able to leave their raincoats and rain jackets at home in exchange for sunglasses and sunscreen. We pedaled for about three hours around the lake, passing through three communities: Bracciano, Anguillara Sabazia, and Trevignano Romano, where we were welcomed by the municipal authorities.

Budding cyclists and those aspiring to compete on the 40km route; some steep climbs made us regret not choosing the Po Valley as our 'location'. Nevertheless, everyone crossed the finish line in Piazza IV Novembre, where a delicious lunch, provided by the Monti district of Bracciano, refreshed the participants' spirits... and stomachs.

(Some participants at the demonstration together with the Rione Monti team)

Further enriching the day were a mini volleyball exhibition by the Stella Mantus club, a magic show, and a guided tour of Bracciano's historic center. In short, sports, good food, culture, and lots and lots of fun for an edition that saw a huge turnout. Giro d'Italia, here we come!

But all of this would not have been possible without the collaboration of two pillars of the Heal Foundation, Adriana Longhitano and Fabrizio Ferrini, who pour their heart into this event every year, and the municipal administrations. In particular, we would like to thank the deputy mayor of Bracciano, Alfredo Massi, who supports us every year in the organization and enthusiastically participates in this day of sport and fun. Our thanks also go to Antonio Pizzigallo and Paola Fiorucci, mayor and deputy mayor of Anguillara Sabazia, and Claudia Maciucchi, mayor of Trevignano Romano, who agreed to be present at the initiative.

But Bracciano was just the appetizer.

At the Heal Foundation, we may be a family, but we haven't told you we're also a little crazy. Yes, because only crazy people would decide to pedal 350km across the Apennines in three days, despite not being, let's say, expert cyclists.

Ten comrades set off from Rome, from Parco Aurora, a redeveloped area strongly supported by father Guido Troianelli, on the first stage, finishing in Broccostella, in the province of Frosinone. Unfortunately, we counted only eight cyclists at the finish line. Don't worry, the ninth and tenth athletes are fine. We're told they're still wandering the countryside between Valmontone and Colleferro. Who knows! Maybe we'll be able to catch up with them in the 2024 edition.

At the end of the first 120km, our modern heroes were able to rest in the cool of the Fibreno River, where a charity dinner organized by our Foundation was held. It was an informal evening, surrounded by the joy of numerous friends and supporters, enhanced by the beautiful setting of Agriturismo La Pesca, with a few unscheduled extras, including our founder Simone De Biase, who for a moment shed his cycling gear to don that of a skilled drummer. Maneskin, we're not afraid of you!

But enough dithering! The next day it was time to set off again, this time towards Popoli, in the province of Pescara, for the "big stage" of this 2024 Healiade: a 120km route with a considerable elevation gain, which, however, didn't dampen the enthusiasm of our eight brave cyclists. Many hours in the saddle, with a nighttime arrival, but as we all know, the worst is over now, and after so much climbing... finally the descent!

And so the third stage, the one that took us to the final finish line in Alba Adriatica, was—so to speak—a sprint. 110km covered in a very short time, despite the various pit stops to replenish lost calories. You're on the seafront, why not make yourself some spaghetti with clams? A generous and well-deserved reward for these pioneers of research who, once again, achieved a remarkable result.

But the greatest achievements are those achieved together, thanks to team strength and a united purpose (as well as a shared sense of humor). For this reason, we'd like to thank everyone who participated in this cycling adventure in central Italy. Not only the hundreds of cyclists who took to their bikes, pedaling with us for research, but also all the organizations that donated their time and resources to make this 2023 Healiade a success.

What can we say about the companies that have chosen to sponsor us, through donations and fundraisers on our behalf:

• Osteria La Sol Fa
• Seven Sport Village
• Dare
• First Service
• M&B rent
• Coca Bread
• La Pesca Farmhouse
• Lido Oasis

The result obtained was exceptional. At the beginning of this adventure We hoped to be able to reach the ambitious goal of 15 thousand euros in donations collected and, all things considered, not only did we reach the finish line, but we were able to go beyond, raising 15,531 euros.

In short, research is an unknown horizon toward which we will never tire of pedaling. Let's do it together!

Didn't have time to contribute but would like to donate during September Gold? Don't worry.

You can donate via bank transfer to this IBAN: IT 69 U 0200 8032 8400 0106 0460 28 entering the reason: GOLD SEPTEMBER or via Paypal at this link . Thanks!