Sailing therapy for oncology and hematological patients: boat trip in the Gulf of Naples

Also this year the Gulf of Naples will be the setting for a significant moment of solidarity: the traditional sailing trip will be held on Wednesday 18 June, dedicated to the patients of the Oncology and Hematology Centers of Naples. The initiative, now in its 9th edition, is organized by the UnoUnoCinque Sailing Team sports association, together with Ail Napoli, Agop Campania, Lega Navale and Circolo Canottieri di Napoli , and realized with the support of Generali. The project also has the patronage of the Municipality of Naples and the Regional Council of Campania. The aim of the day is to dedicate to patients and their families a moment of well-being and lightheartedness , far from the hospital routine and daily therapies, and to underline the benefits of velatherapy, widely recognized by the scientific community as a therapeutic method that promotes psychological rehabilitation and improves the quality of life for those dealing with hematological diseases. The event also represents an opportunity to raise awareness on the issue of leukemia and remind patients and families that they are not alone in this battle. During the day, Ail and Agop patients will have the opportunity to go out on a sailing boat, putting into practice what they have learned in the courses, held throughout the year by UnoUnoCinque. In fact, since 2018, the Sailing Association has been organizing sailing courses to teach patients the fundamentals. Each course lasts 12 weeks with theoretical and practical lessons and boat trips, to give the kids active sailing experiences. Participants are involved in all aspects of the on-board activity, which allows them to acquire practical and social skills, to strengthen self-esteem and a sense of belonging and to make a concrete contribution to the psychological rehabilitation process.

As every year, boats and crews will be made available by the Lega Navale di Napoli and UnoUnoCinque , the amateur sports association, non-profit and recognized by CONI, founded by Mimmo Buonomo in Naples in 2008 with the aim of developing and spreading the activity of sailing, with particular attention to social inclusion and the training of young people, and to promote, through sport, values ​​such as respect, loyalty, fairness, solidarity and friendship.

The sailing trip will be preceded by an event to present the initiative, at the Circolo Canottieri di Napoli, in via Molosiglio 1, scheduled for 10.30, moderated by Hoara Borselli. The first part will see the introductory greetings, entrusted to Sergio Alioto , of UnoUnoCinque, to Valeria Rotoli, president of AIL Naples Bruno Rotoli Section and to Barbara Lucini , responsible for Country Sustainability & Social Responsibility Generali Italia and the institutional greetings of Chiara Marciani , municipal councillor for Youth Policies and Work, Mario Morcone , councillor for Security, Legality, Immigration of the Campania Region, and Alba Salvati , president of Agop (Association of Parents of Pediatric Oncology) Campania. The second part, dedicated to the round table on the benefits of velaterapia in patients, will be attended by Mario Annunziata , director of the Complex Operating Unit of Hematology at the Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, Silvio Perrotta , head of the Complex Operating Unit of Hematology and Pediatric Oncology at the Luigi Vanvitelli University, Fabrizia Ferraro, psychologist at Ail Naples, with the testimony of the volunteer Luca Vinsigardi . At the end, the members of Ail Napoli and Agop Campania, accompanied by the UnoUnoCinque crew, will set sail together with the boys and girls, aboard the boats. Upon their return, the traditional lunch is planned, at the Terrazza del Circolo Canottieri.

This edition will also see the extraordinary participation of representatives of the Fire Brigade and the Navy. The sailing trip is part of the initiatives organized for the National Day against Blood Diseases, scheduled for Saturday 21 June, which aims to be close to haematological patients, adults and children, through information and awareness activities, also illustrating the progress made by scientific research in the sector.