AAn unforgettable experience for the young Rossoneri guests at the recent Derby della Madonnina, with the aim of promoting awareness of the importance of cancer research.
In view of the World Childhood Cancer Day, Fondazione Milan and Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, Official Airline Partner and Principal Partner of AC Milan, offered an extraordinary experience to eleven children suffering from cancer during the Derby della Madonnina on 2 February, in collaboration with Fondazione Veronesi, which for years has been financing excellent scientific research to guarantee greater hope of recovery for young patients.
The young guests visited some of the most exclusive areas of the San Siro stadium, welcomed the First Team players on their arrival at San Siro and received a surprise from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who wanted to welcome them to the stadium and exchange a few words with them. During the warm-up of the two teams, the group went around the pitch and met the Milanello mascot and the Rossoneri announcer Gegio, who announced a new surprise for them.
Thanks to the support of Emirates, match sponsor of Milan-Inter, linked to the Club by an almost twenty-year collaboration that sees the sharing of the positive values of football as one of its main pillars, the children present had the opportunity to accompany the Rossoneri starting eleven onto the pitch just before the match kicked off, under the gaze of tens of thousands of fans.
After watching the match from the stands at San Siro, together with their parents, they also met again with the AC Milan players, who signed some gadgets given to them by Emirates, including the Home Jersey 2024/25, and took souvenir photos of the special day.
Rocco Giorgianni, Secretary General of Fondazione Milan, said: ‘Since 2003, we have been supporting young people in their journey through life and sharing the positive values of sport with them. In twenty years, we have reached over 160,000 beneficiaries worldwide and collaborated with various organisations and hospitals in our territory to support their work and give their young patients moments of light-heartedness. I would like to thank Emirates, always ready to take the field alongside us for valuable activities like this, the Veronesi Foundation and our young guests for the enthusiasm and smiles they have given us’.
‘The partnership between Emirates and Italy has been going strong for over three decades, having facilitated air travel for millions of passengers to and from our many Italian gateways. Our long-standing presence in the market has helped shape the tourism and travel sector in Italy, allowing us to make our contribution thanks to our extensive global network and our industry-leading products and services. Our long-standing partnership with Milan further strengthens our commitment to the Italian market, based on shared values of innovation, tradition and excellence in performance. By joining forces for over a decade, we have created clear synergies between the world of aviation and that of sport, overcoming cultural and socio-economic barriers. Emirates and AC Milan intend to inspire future generations of football fans, promoting the values of sportsmanship and fair play, and strengthening our bond with the Italian community. Our partnership with Milan is a powerful symbol of our dedication to Italy and our belief in the power of sport to unite people and inspire positive change,’ said Flavio Ghiringhelli, Country Manager Emirates Italy.
“For years, the Fondazione Veronesi has been funding excellent research in the field of paediatric oncology in order to increase the cure rates for children and adolescents suffering from cancer, because many advances have been made but unfortunately it is still not enough. I would like to thank the Fondazione Milan for giving these eleven children the opportunity to spend a special day with their sporting idols, giving them some carefree moments that allow them to continue living their lives as much as possible as they were before their diagnosis,’ says Professor Paolo Veronesi, President of the Umberto Veronesi ETS Foundation.
The initiative – which has the dual objective of giving moments of carefree to children suffering from oncological pathologies and promoting awareness of childhood cancer and the importance of research – is part of the wider context of sustainability and social responsibility of the Rossoneri family and Emirates’ deep-rooted commitment to the markets in which it operates, continuing to identify ways to show their support to local communities around the world. Through its extensive portfolio of sponsorships, the airline uses the power of sport to create meaningful connections and inspire positive change. Together with Fondazione Milan, both entities are committed to generating a significant impact through shared values in Italy and globally.
