Tennis & Friends – Health and Sport restarts at BNL Internationals Kicking off the 2022 Prevention Tour together with Italian Red Cross for Ukraine emergency fundraising campaign

Prevention returns to the Foro Italico with a Special Edition of Tennis & Friends - Health and Sports. On Saturday, May 14, in the prestigious BNL Internationals of Italy, will officially start the new Tour 2022. The event has been promoting and uniting health and sports for the prevention and promotion of health and correct lifestyles.

Never before has the prevention must once again become the focus of everyone's attention. Indeed, the Covid-19 emergency has drastically redefined screening programs, highlighting a decidedly discouraging picture. Just think of cardiac and/or oncology patients who have seen waiting times for screenings and checks lengthen even more. For that matter, data from the National Screening Observatory have quantified a negative jump of more than three million examinations, without which more than 3,500 breast cancer diagnoses, 3,000 precancerous lesions of the cervix and just over 9,000 colorectal lesions could have been 'missed' (including actual tumors and advanced adenomas, forms destined to evolve into cancers).

"Comparing the number of examinations performed between January 2020 and May 2021 with those for an earlier period of equal length, the data reflect a picture that should give much thought to the importance of prevention. A 6-8 month delay in diagnosis can indeed affect the outcome of treatment. This is why being present at an event like Tennis & Friends, where people's health and well-being is at the "center" of everything, is an important signal where, once again, the world of sports meets the world of prevention. During our events, visitors, in a fun and relaxed atmosphere, can undergo targeted views and screenings free of charge. Because prevention must be a right accessible to everyone." declares Professor Giorgio Meneschincheri, medical doctor specializing in preventive medicine, professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

"Nutrition, Heart and Sports" will be the theme of the health courses - designed and organized in collaboration with the Sports Medicine Institute - which on Saturday, May 14, will be set up in the area adjacent to the 7 and 8 courts of the Foro Italico. Starting at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., visitors will be able to take free screenings and examinations, thanks in part to the support of the Red Cross Committee of Rome, which will provide staff and facilities again this year.

In particular, two diagnostic and informational pathways will be organized that will include cardiovascular check-ups (specialist examinations and diagnostic tests) and nutritional (assessment of eating habits, any intolerances, and then moving on to measuring body composition and fat mass for a lifestyle of wellness and prevention. Thanks to the operators of the Acqua Acetosa Sports Medicine in Rome.

This year, special attention will be paid to the solidarity. Tennis & Friends - Health and Sport, in fact, in addition to having participated last May 8 in the celebrations for the World Day of the Red Cross e Red Crescent, it will support, during the event at the Foro Italico, the fundraising campaign of the ICRC for theUkraine emergency.

Once again this year, confirming the ongoing commitment of Tennis & Friends in promoting prevention, during the Special Edition will be attended by: the President of the Lazio Region, Nicola Zingaretti, the Councillor for Sports, Tourism, Events and Fashion, Alessandro Onorato who, together with Prof Giorgio Meneschincheri, will expose to the press, the new project of Tennis & Friends. Project that will include a program aimed at promoting in 1st and 2nd grade schools in Rome and Turin, Sport, in all its facets with activities also focused on the health and well-being of young students.

Also present was the Director of Operations, Emergencies and Relief of the Italian Red Cross., Ignazio Schintu who will talk about his experience and work lived on the front lines, in the territories currently affected by the Russian-Ukrainian conflict from which he has just returned.

"I am very pleased to be able to bring, in a context of sport and solidarity such as Tennis & Friends, a testimony of the unceasing work that the Italian Red Cross is conducting, since the early stages of the conflict, in Ukraine. - stresses Ignazio Schintu, Director of Operations, Emergencies and Relief of the Italian Red Cross - ad Today we are attested on the departure of two convoys per week to send humanitarian aid with over 1000 tons of goods already delivered. Everything we send is requested by the Ukrainian Red Cross based on the real needs of the affected population. - continues Schintu - We have also recently activated a logistics hub in Suceava (Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in order to optimize aid sorting. And our evacuation, medical support and reception of Ukrainians throughout the country continues."

Representing the world of sports were the Undersecretary for Sport and Youth Policies, Valentina Vezzali, the president of Sport and Health S.p.A, Vito Cozzoli, the CONI President, Giovanni Malagò, the President of FIT - Italian Tennis Federation, Angelo Binaghi, and the event's honorary president and ambassador to the tennis world, Nicola Pietrangeli.

The event also will be associated with the organization of a speaker corner: "MEET THE DOCTORS". A forum open to the public where Eleanor Daniel will moderate meetings and debates between journalists, doctors and personalities from the world of sports and entertainment. Experts on their experiences and directions will give useful advice and guidance on how to translate medical recommendations for improving one's lifestyle into practice.

"We are happy to host at the Foro Italico Park, during the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, the extraordinary health prevention campaign "Tennis & Friends," which for several years now has been achieving excellent results, raising awareness among the population to adopt correct lifestyles through the promotion of sports in the sense of wellness, health, prevention and a healthier life - declared the President and chief executive officer of Sport and Health S.p.A., Vito Cozzoli - By partnering with Tennis & Friends, through the Institute of Sports Medicine, Sport and Health's center of health excellence, we will be able to get the message across even better that sport is health."

The event, supported by the highest institutions, was realized with the support of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers-Department for Sport, under the patronage of the Ministry of Health, MIUR, Ministry of Defense, State Police, Guardia di Finanza, Lazio Region, Municipality of Roma Capitale, Sport and Health S.p.A., CONI, Italian Red Cross and in collaboration with the major Sports Federations. The event also enjoys the Patronage of the Representation in Italy of the European Commission.

Once again, the event will see numerous personalities from sports, solidarity and entertainment take the field, in support of the project born 10 years after the intuition of its founder Giorgio Meneschincheri.

They were invited to participate and take the field: Veronica Maya, patroness of the event, Paolo Bonolis, Maria De Filippi, Edoardo Leo, Jimmy Ghione, Paolo Calabresi, Max Giusti, Filippo Volandri, Diego Nargiso, Marco Tardelli, Vincent Candela,, Paolo Borghetto, Carmen Russo, Dolcenera, Beppe Convertini, Stefano Meloccaro, Roberto Ciufoli, Marzia Roncacci, Milly, Marina Rei. Beppe Fiorello, Angelo Mangiante, Anna Pettinelli, Filippo Bisceglie, Lallo Circosta, Pamela Camassa, Mara Santangelo, Salvo Sottile.

The commitment of Tennis & Friends will continue in Turin, Sept. 16-18, where Tennis & Friends will be present as the Official Charity of the Nitto ATP Finals, and in Rome, Oct. 7-9, with its 12th edition, where the closing days of the event will be held. Where also here schools will be back in the spotlight with days designed specifically for youngsters, including information, entertainment, health and sports.

Tennis & Friends thanks all its partners, in particular: Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Sport and Health S.p.A., Italian Red Cross, Ania Foundation, Joule Eni, Valmora, Head, Robe di Kappa, Vim, Cottarella Family for supporting health and prevention by our side.

Media Partners: Corriere Salute, Il Messaggero, Corriere dello Sport, RDS