Identity

1965 - 2023 Our History

1965 At the time of founding, the Association’s name is AIRPC (Italian Association for the Promotion of Cancer Research). Then, in 1976, the name changes definitively into AIRC 1973 The 1st issue of thebullettin Fondamentale,our members-only magazine,is published. 1984 The Azalea of Researchblossoms for the first time in the streets of Italy. 1991 The Oranges of Healthtake to the streets. 1996 1998 IFOM, the Institute of molecular oncology of AIRC, is founded.First Cancer Research Day under the high patronage of the President of the Republic. In 2012, the event expands into the Days of Research. 2006 Over 800,000 people support AIRC with pre-tax donation. 2010 5 per mille donations give birth to the Molecular Clinical Oncology Programme, soon followed by the Early Diagnosis and Tumour Development Risk Analysis programme, in 2011. 2012 The Chocolates of Researchmake their first appearance in the streets: it is the dawning of AIRC’s third large-scale fundraising campaign. 2014 AIRC can count upon 4,500,000 supporters. 2019 AIRC becomes Fondazione AIRC per la ricerca sul cancro (AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research). 2023 AIRC allocate over €143 million to cancer research.

Let's make cancer ever more treatable

Since 1965, we have been continuously supporting the progress of cancer research, thanks to fundraising, and we have informed the public on the results achieved, on their potential for treatment, and on prevention.

At the core of our mission lies a common set of shared values and principles. AIRC contributes to the progress of oncology promoting young talents, supporting the most innovative research projects, and investing in cutting-edge technologies.

We are Italy’s main private funding hub for cancer research: in 2023 we allocated over €143 million to this activity.

Cancer in figures

Every day, around 1,000 people in Italy are diagnosed with cancer.

Data for 2023 estimate 395,000 total cases (208,000 in men and 187,000 in women). Rates of incidence for lung and prostate tumors are rising in men, while among women the cases of bowel and ovarian cancer are increasing.

Source: I numeri del cancro in Italia 2023 AIOM-AIRTUM-Fondazione AIOM-PASSI

These figures provide a clear picture of the social impact of a disease such as cancer, which still requires a great deal of research in order to find new treatments for those who are fighting their battle today, and for those who will get sick in the future.

The support of the community

Research and Treatments