FrecciaRosa: over 400 vaccines and screening service provided in Rome

FrecciaRosa - the awareness-raising campaign promoted by FS Group and Fondazione IncontraDonna - provided over 400 free-of-charge medical services to residents for breast cancer prevention and HPV vaccination during its Roman stage.

The initiative, held in FS Logistix’s premises in partnership with ASL Roma 1 and La Sapienza University of Rome, engaged many field experts and volunteers for the entire day, carrying out medical services, such as mammograms, HPV vaccinations, Pap and HPV tests, collection of colorectal screening kits, flu vaccinations and HCV screening. During the event, the Health Vademecum, drawn up in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, was also disseminated to provide citizens with complete and certified information.

 

“We focus on people on our day-to-day activities - said Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of FS Logistix - We are especially proud to host this important prevention initiative for the second year in a row, which, through Fondazione IncontraDonna and Gruppo FS’s combined commitment, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Days like this one - organised with the help of our partners, La Sapienza University and ASL Roma 1 - are a concrete testimony of our commitment to the territories, health and well-being of the communities around us. The participation of so many young people confirms the positive impact and shared value generated by this initiative.”

 

“Cancer prevention is a social responsibility we must share - explains Adriana Bonifacino, founder of Fondazione IncontraDonna. - Addressing risk factors, such as unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyles, smoke and alcohol abuse can help reduce cancer prevalence up to 40%. Europe is asking us to take a step forward: by 2030, 90% of subjects in all eligible categories will have to take part in public health screening programmes, to make cancer an increasingly preventable and early-detectable disease. In Italy, we are still far from achieving these goals: many regions show an uneven organisation of screening programmes and adherence to the HPV vaccination campaign remains insufficient. Reintroducing “on-land” stops, mobile stations, listening sessions and direct provision of free healthcare services means bringing people closer to prevention, reaching different age groups and reminding them that check-ups and screenings mean investing in the health of the community. For 15 years, the FrecciaRosa initiative has been reminding us how necessary it still is to invest in information and awareness. With FS Group’s collaboration - which confirms its long-standing alliance in this endeavour - and the support of La Sapienza University of Rome and ASL Roma 1, we are doing and can still do a lot to spread a culture of prevention.”

 

“Once again this year, La Sapienza has wholeheartedly joined the FrecciaRosa campaign - says Antonella Polimeni, Rector of La Sapienza University of Rome. - We deeply believe in the value of prevention, which transcends pure healthcare to become a cultural and civil choice: investing in prevention means improving people's quality of life and building well-being for the entire community. In this perspective, our collaboration with FS Group, Fondazione IncontraDonna and ASL Roma 1 represents a concrete example of a positive synergy between institutions, a good way to translate scientific culture into community closeness and care, for the benefit of those who live, study and work in La Sapienza’s area. These virtuous networks add meaning, strength and full significance to the University's Third and Fourth Missions, and allow us to put knowledge at people’s service. I would like to thank the organisations we work with, and all the professionals in La Sapienza’s Health Sciences area who, with their expertise and commitment, have made this initiative possible. Universities can resume their role as guardians of our culture, health and social responsibility also through events such as this one, to help build a more equitable, aware and supportive society.”

 

“ASL Roma 1 adheres to all health initiatives in our territory, and this two-day event outlined a winning course of action: bringing prevention into people's actual living places, to intercept the need even before the onset of a disease” stated Giuseppe Quintavalle, Director General of the ASL Roma 1. “For the second year in a row, our partnership with FS Group and La Sapienza University of Rome continues, and the deep synergy with Fondazione IncontraDonna is consolidated. As a health company, we are active with a multi-screening equipped truck to perform mammography examinations, HPV tests, pap tests and vaccinations. Indeed, the Lazio Region is conducting a widespread campaign to raise awareness of early diagnosis and immunisation against certain viruses, such as HPV, in order to eradicate cervical cancer through vaccination coverage.”

 

The FrecciaRosa initiative, with the patronage of the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office, Agenas, Sport and Health, Farmindustria and AIOM, will engage medical experts and volunteers on board Frecce, Intercity and Regionale trains for the entire month of October, offering free breast consultations and examinations. In its 15 editions, the project has been supported by the Ministry of Health and the Prime Minister's Office and, for the third year running, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of the President of the Republic.