On Sunday 17 May, ahead of the away match against Catanzaro, Palermo FC will pay tribute to Alessia La Rosa, a young rosanero supporter who passed away at just 8 years old after spending much of her life battling cancer.
The Palermo players will take to the pitch wearing black armbands and a special commemorative patch on their match shirts, in memory of a little girl who became a symbol of determination, courage and love for life, as well as an extraordinary passion for her favourite team.
After hosting the chapel of rest at the Barbera and following the attendance of the First Team and a delegation from the Youth and Women’s Sector at the funeral held in the Cathedral, the Club wishes to once again express its closeness to Alessia’s family and, at the same time, help shine a light on the difficulties faced every day by children with oncological diseases.
To go beyond a purely symbolic gesture, Palermo has decided to auction the match shirts worn by the players in the game against Catanzaro, featuring the commemorative patch. The proceeds will be donated to ASLTI ODV – Liberi di crescere, the Sicilian Association for Childhood Leukaemia and Tumours, which supported Alessia and her family throughout her illness and has for years helped hundreds of children and their families in similar circumstances. The aim is to raise awareness and ensure that the great collective embrace shown to Alessia can continue to be just as powerful for all the other “Alessias” who, together with their loved ones, are fighting their own battle.
Active since 1982 at the Paediatric Oncohaematology Unit of ARNAS Civico in Palermo, ASLTI works every day alongside children affected by oncological diseases and their families, offering free support services throughout the treatment journey. The Association’s activities include support in the ward and Day Hospital, play therapy, pet therapy, recreational activities and psychological support programmes for young patients, their families and volunteers. ASLTI ODV also runs the “Case ASLTI”, completely free accommodation apartments for families coming from outside Palermo who need to stay close to their children during treatment, as well as “NAVETTAMICA”, the free transport service through which volunteers accompany children and one family member from home to hospital and back, helping families face treatment with greater peace of mind.
Details on how to take part in the auction will be announced in due course through the Club’s official channels.