UEFA hails stricken Borgonovo with €1m award for stem cell research work
KEIR RADNEDGE in MONTE CARLO: European federation UEFA has awarded its Monaco Charity Award prize – a cheque for €1m – has been awarded to the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation for work in research on Lou Gehrig’s syndrome.
UEFA president Michel Platini presented the cheque to Chantal, the former Milan forward’s wife, at a gala dinner which followed the draw for the Champions League group stage and on the eve of the Supercup clash between Chelsea and Atletico de Madrid.
Platini was accompanied in the presentation by Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain, Fabio Cannavaro.
“This year, the Monaco Charity Award reflects the commitment of UEFA to improve health across Europe. Those of us who are able to play football does make may not be aware of the importance of power moving. Giving money to Stefano Borgonovo Foundation, we hope to contribute to finding a cure for Lou Gehrig’s disease, but also support patients suffering from this disease and their families, “said President UEFA.
Borgonovo, a striker with Milan and Fiorentina in the late 1980s and early 1990s, was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) at the age of 42. The motor-neurone-type neurological disease causes progressive loss of all muscle functions.
Worldwide sufferers
He, Chantal and their edest daughter Alessandra set up the Stefano Borgonovo Foundation on December 13, 2008, to seek answers to help the 350,000 sufferers worldwide.
Chantal Borgnovo said: “The foundation is honored to receive the award which is the single largest gift in our history. With the support of UEFA, we will continue our campaign in Italy by investing in research on stem cell transplantation for neurological disorders.”
The money will help fund groundbreaking research on stem cells by expert Professor Angelo Vescovi. Clinical trial of stem cell transplantation began when 31-year patient suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease received injections of stem cells in the spinal cord in June this year in hopes of slowing the progression of disease.
The foundation is also planning a project to help home hospital patients home. The objective is to develop a fully equipped to help people suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease at all stages of the disease using a mobile laboratory with all equipment and software necessary diagnosis.
Last year, the price UEFA Monaco Charity Award was presented to the development organization streetfootballworld.
= = = = =
