Our Fundraiser’s story
Riccardo Todaro
Running to remember. Running to give hope.
In 2026, I decided to take part in the Wizz Air Milano Marathon to honour the memory of my sister Veronica and my dear friend William, both of whom passed away from cancer during 2025.
It is impossible to truly describe what experiences like these leave inside us. But for me, they sparked a deep desire: to honour their memory through something meaningful.
I chose to do so by combining one of my greatest passions—running—with a cause I deeply believe in: fundraising in support of AIRC.
Running for AIRC immediately felt like the right choice. Not only because it is an extraordinary organisation dedicated to advancing cancer research, but above all because it allowed me to pay tribute to Veronica in the way she would have wanted. From the moment she was diagnosed, she was always deeply committed to supporting fundraising initiatives and research campaigns, even though she knew that the results of that work would most likely never benefit her personally because of the severity of her illness.
She believed that supporting an organisation like AIRC meant investing in a better future: more effective treatments, earlier diagnoses, and less suffering for patients and their families. It is a belief that continues to inspire me every day.
In many ways, running a marathon alongside AIRC represents exactly that: giving everything you have to nurture something truly vital—hope.
And that’s why I want to tell you what running for AIRC has meant to me.
Running for AIRC makes you feel that you matter. You become part of something greater than yourself, something that has a real and lasting impact.
Fundraising while running for AIRC feels incredibly rewarding, because it reminds you how many people stand by your side when it truly matters—even in the hardest moments. Far more than you could ever imagine.
Running for AIRC is also a personal challenge. Preparing for a marathon isn’t easy. It takes consistency, determination and sacrifice. But when every kilometre carries such profound meaning, you discover strength you never knew you had.
Running for AIRC is also one of the simplest ways to make a real difference. With just a few clicks, you can help support research that can change countless lives.
Running for AIRC is also about experiencing the unique atmosphere surrounding marathon weekend. It begins the day before, when you collect your race bib and your AIRC shirt. That’s the moment when everything starts to feel real, and you’re welcomed by the enthusiasm of the staff and volunteers, whose smiles and hugs fill you with extraordinary energy and emotion.
Then comes race day.
The final moments before the start are filled with concentration. Then the starting gun goes off—an explosion of emotions—and the 42 kilometres unfold, one after another. As you run, you think back on all the months of preparation, the reason you’re running, the people you love, those who are no longer with you, and everyone who is still fighting. You feel a strength that seems to come from above, carrying you forward, step after step, until you reach the finish line faster than you ever thought possible.
For Veronica.
For William.
For everyone who is still fighting.
For research.
For hope.
Experience something unforgettable. Run alongside AIRC.
