Cover image for Associazione Linfa

Associazione Linfa

ASSOCIAZIONE LINFA ODV

Your heart is the real finish line

Associazione Linfa joins the Milano Marathon to support the project “Rare Beautiful Families” 

Introduction 
Associazione Linfa OdV was founded over thirty years ago in Padua with the aim of supporting children, adolescents and families affected by neurofibromatosis. It is a national point of reference that provides guidance, information and psychological support, promotes research and raises awareness about this rare and still little-known genetic condition. Linfa is committed every day to ensuring that no family feels alone in facing the challenges this condition brings. 

In 2026, for the first time, Linfa will participate in the Milano Marathon as a Charity Partner with a clear goal: to raise € 10.000 to support the Rare Beautiful Families project. This is a solidarity challenge that brings together sport and care: with this amount, we will be able to provide at least 25 psychological support programs (individual or couples’ sessions) and activate new group therapy cycles, directly supporting around 40 families over the course of the year. 

Project Description 

Rare Beautiful Families is a project created to address a structural gap in care services: the lack of continuous psychological support for those dealing with neurofibromatosis. This is a rare genetic disorder that affects approximately 20,000 people in Italy. The most common form, Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1), often manifests in childhood, with symptoms such as café-au-lait spots on the skin, cutaneous neurofibromas, learning difficulties, attention disorders and visual or neurological problems. These visible and invisible symptoms deeply impact quality of life, school integration and family relationships. 

A diagnosis often brings fear, guilt, uncertainty and isolation. Families are overwhelmed by complex emotions and face a profound reorganization of their daily lives. 

To address these needs, Linfa has launched an integrated psychological support program for 2025/2026, tailored to the real needs of those affected: 

  • A cycle of 5 individual or couples’ sessions with an experienced psychotherapist, designed to help process the emotional impact and develop effective coping strategies. 
  • Peer support groups for parents, divided by the age of their children, to foster genuine dialogue with those who truly understand what it means to face certain challenges every day. These groups serve as an alternative to individual or couples’ sessions, offering a weekly space for listening, sharing and support. Special attention is given to the psychological aspects of the disease and to parenting, with activities designed to strengthen the educational role, enhance family resources and counteract isolation. 

The project is accessible throughout Italy and is conducted online, ensuring access even for those living in remote areas or without specialized centres. The funds raised will cover the costs of psychological sessions, group meetings, clinical supervision, as well as project coordination and impact evaluation. 

Active since 2021, the project has already supported around 80 families during moments of great vulnerability, helping them cope with the pain of diagnosis, rebuild more peaceful relationships and gain practical tools for the daily management of the condition. 

How Funds Will Be Raised 

The fundraising will take place through four main channels: 

• Charity registrations: you can run with Linfa in the Milano Marathon 2026 by choosing to take part in the Wizz Air Milano Marathon, the classic 42 km race through the city’s most iconic landmarks. 

Alternatively, you can split the effort among four friends by joining the Relay Marathon – a team race that divides the course into four legs, ranging from 6.5 to 13 km each. 

Each runner will be asked to open their own fundraising page on Rete del Dono platform, encouraging friends and family to support the cause. 

Registration through Linfa also includes the official Linfa running shirt, because we want to turn Milan green and bring a message of hope and solidarity along the entire route. 

• Direct donations: anyone can support the project without running, by donating directly on the Rete del Dono platform or via bank transfer to the association. 

Even a small donation can make a big impact: 

  • € 30 covers half an hour of psychological support for a parent or caregiver 
  • € 100 helps provide a couples’ therapy session or part of a therapy cycle 
  • € 200 funds a group session for up to 18 participants, offering space for listening and sharing 

• Corporate partnerships: Linfa will offer tailored packages to companies interested in supporting the cause through sponsorships, matching gifts, or corporate team participation. 

• Promotional activities: events and dedicated social campaigns will be organized to raise awareness about the project and promote fundraising. 

Every step we take together in the Milano Marathon will bring us closer to stronger relationships, better supported families and a more informed and compassionate community. 

Rare Beautiful Families represents the most meaningful finish line: creating a space where people living with a rare diagnosis feel welcomed, heard and supported. 

Contact Information 

  • Phone: +39 393 4216967 (Claudia)