Skip links
Sofia nel cuore

My Story

Let me introduce myself. I am Sofia Sacchitelli, a 23-year-old Italian girl from Genoa and a medical student currently pursuing the penultimate year of my undergraduate degree.

On 10 November 2021, I discovered that the right atrium of my heart hosted a huge mass of cancerous cells called cardiac angiosarcoma, a malignant and aggressive tumor which is considered incurable. Cardiac angiosarcoma is such a rare diagnosis, with an incidence in the population of 2-3 cases for every million people, that I almost feel "lucky' to have it. It took me months to manage to pronounce that horrendous word without a trembling voice and a chill running down my back.

I want to tell you that my motto, since I was a child, has always been this is not a tragedy as tragedies are different, every time would feel unlucky or something unfair happened.

Following my diagnosis, particularly after understanding that I could not be operated on given the position of my tumor and the utter importance of the sick organ which could not be replaced, I found it very, very difficult to follow
my motto.

After an initial moment of helplessness and rage, I tried, between courses of chemo, to continue to conduct a life as normal as possible for the sake of my mental health as well as my family's.

Life is already short; if mine is evenshorter, better enjoy it and do what makes you happy. While constantly being supported by my parents, my sister llaria, my boyfriend Nicolò and my dearest friends, I faced my treatment process feeling as at peace as possible.

disease has made me explore feelings that I had never experienced before, not only negative ones: it has allowed me to see through the eyes of some of my close ones and discover their true personality, empathy and sensibility. I have also encountered the opposite reaction when people stepped away because they were unable to process my
situation. For that, I do not blame them.

Today I am not here to complain about how much cancer makes you suffer or about how unlucky I was to get it because, unfortunately, every single day, millions of babies, children, and young adults like me fight their battles ferociously. I have always loved life.

I used to fill every gap of my day just to keep busy and surround myself with positive people. I have never had any regrets, and thanks to my parents' support and sacrifices I could always do anything
that made me happy and well.

Unfortunately, fate has kept me from making many of my plans come true: I wanted to become a doctor, get married, have children, spend time with the people I love, go and watch Sampdoria's matches with Dad and my sister.

I wanted to travel, take care of my parents once elderly, and grow old myself. To me, the most distressing and torturous thought is that two parents will be left without their beloved baby girl, a girl will be left without her beloved little sister, and a boy will be left without the love of his life. I cannot find an explanation for all of this, nor can I find peace knowing it.

My only true wish is to promote even a little step forward in medical research and the knowledge of very rare diseases like cardiac angiosarcoma.

I cannot be indifferent to something that struck me personally.

I need to do this particularly for the people and families that felt scared, abandoned and disheartened just like me and my family at the moment of diagnosis. This is obviously enhanced by the fact that, as a medical student, strongly and deeply believe in research.

My effort might not produce all the results I hope to see, but I have to try.

My dream is that one day no one will ever receive a death sentence as l have, and as all those who have battled with this cancer before me have. I am aware that studies and research must focus on cancers with major incidence in the population, as it is normal and logical.

I decided to do is to give all the money I made while working and studying and start a fundraiser to which anyone can contribute, even in the smallest part.

The funds resulting from it will be donated to the Italian Sarcoma Group for studies and research on angiosarcomas to aim to improve treatments and provide a better quality of life for patients and those affected by this disease.

To conclude, I want to leave you with the following quote:

'Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans.' - John Lennon

Thank you all for the attention and for the loving support you have given me.

Sofia Sacchitelli

Le interviste

Recognitions

September 26, 2024

Recognition from the Rotary Presidents

Sampdoria has always held a special place in our hearts, both for the Sacchitelli family and the Genovese family. But the most passionate fan was undoubtedly grandmother Laura Sacchitelli, whom I took to the stadium many times myself, together with her ninety-year-old friend!

It was inevitable that this passion would also be passed down to Ilaria and Sofia, who, from when they were little girls, went with their dad Giuseppe to support their team. A very lovely evening spent at the Sampdoria Club “Luca Vialli e Bobby Gol” remains in our hearts: on the evening of September 26, the club invited us to dinner and surrounded us with warmth and affection.

The club’s president gave Ilaria a plaque, which she treasures dearly, to convey all their esteem and gratitude for her commitment to carrying forward the Foundation. With the same affection, we thank them and embrace them, as our great Sampdoria fan, Sofy, would have done.

Mamma Patty

June 18, 2024

Recognition from the Rotary Presidents

On Thursday, June 18, it was wonderful to take part in the handover ceremony between the outgoing presidents of the various Rotary districts and those who have taken up the baton. Ilaria and I realized how fundamental their work is, in the medical, social and cultural fields. You can really see people’s willingness to sit down together and ask themselves: “Today, who can we help? How?” Fantastic!

In our own small way, this is what all of us who belong to this wonderful association founded by my daughter SOFIA SACCHITELLI try to do. Since she was little, Sofia was a sweet girl, always interested in OTHERS and generous with them. I always remember the neighbor who stopped me at the front door to tell me that Sofia, at about 3 or 4 years old, had asked him: “Sir, what can I do for you?” My neighbor was astonished and incredulous.

The reason we were invited to this Rotary ceremony is that, as we were told, when they had to choose which association to honor for its work, they unanimously chose SOFIA NEL CUORE, in the person of ILARIA SACCHITELLI, my other wonderful daughter, who works hard every day, always with the precious help of Mariangela, to carry forward Sofia’s wish, because before leaving she had promised she would give it her all, and so she has.

Ilaria was struck to see her own name on the plaque and felt honored and proud to receive this recognition. In her heart, she dedicated it to Sofia, her sister, whom she has loved since they were children. Thank you to all the Rotary clubs of Genoa, and thank you to Laura Guglielmi, now a dear friend of ours, who contributed to this wonderful and important recognition!

December 18, 2023

Naming of the Sofia Sacchitelli Classroom

A tremendous emotion on Monday, December 18, on the occasion of naming Classroom 5 of the Biomedical Teaching Hub after our Sofia.

Classroom 5 is now called “Aula Sofia Sacchitelli,” hoping it will be a good example for all the young people who share Sofia’s dream: becoming a doctor.

We are infinitely grateful to the Rector of the University of Genoa, Professor Federico Delfino, and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Professor Piero Ruggeri.

Thanks to the Councillors Simona Ferro and Lorenza Rosso, representing the Liguria Region and the City of Genoa respectively, and to all the authorities present who believed in us from the start: Honourable Ilaria Cavo, Honourable Matteo Rosso, Lieutenant Gianluca Casella, Councillor Angelo Gratarola, Councillor Marta Brusoni, Councillor Alessandra Bianchi and Dr. Stefano Balleari.

We thank the General Management of the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino: Dr. Marco Damonte Prioli, Dr. Giovanni Orengo, and Professor Antonio Uccelli.

Thanks to the President of the Order of Physicians, Professor Alessandro Bonsignore, and to Dr. Tiziana Lazzari.

And finally, thank you to all of you who are showering us with your affection and with your small and large donations, all essential in launching Sofia’s Projects, which give us the drive to pursue ever greater goals!

250 thousand times THANK YOU from Sofia nel cuore

March 8, 2023

Liguria Region – Pioneering Women

Regione Liguria celebrated International Women’s Day 2023 by giving voice to all the women, past and present, who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Over 50 women active and leading in every sector, from medicine to sport, through entrepreneurship, public administration, journalism, art, politics and research, were honored, and Sofia was among those great women.

March 9, 2023

Gold Medal from the University of Genoa

For the first time in its history, the University of Genoa awarded the gold medal of merit to Sofia, who with great courage chose not to give up and to turn pain into hope and into an opportunity for scientific research.

May 5, 2023

Sciarborasca Padel Court

On Friday, May 5, 2023, the new padel court complex in Sciarborasca was inaugurated. The facility was dedicated to three young people who died prematurely: Marco Rossi, Matteo Patrone and Sofia.

July 11, 2023

FIDAPA Genoa – City of Women Award

Sofia received the first “Genova città delle Donne” Award, established by the Fidapa Genoa Section, for having clearly demonstrated solidarity and altruism toward others, the cornerstones of the sisterhood philosophy of Fidapa Genoa Section.

News