SHRO Gala Dinner: €200,000 raised for cancer research

There is an Italy that chooses to believe in science, solidarity and young people. This was demonstrated by the Gala Dinner 2025 of the Sbarro Health Research Organization (Shro), which saw entrepreneurs, doctors, institutions and citizens united for a single goal: supporting cancer research. The result? 200,000 euros raised to support oncology research and the training of young scientists between Italy and the United States. During the evening, six figures were awarded who, in their respective fields – academic, business and institutional – have distinguished themselves for their contribution to the common good. Among the awardees, Francesco Calcara , president and CEO of Hyundai Italia, Raffaele De Nigris , CEO of the De Nigris Group, Marco Marchi , founder and president of Liu Jo, and Francesco Saverio Mennini , Head of the Department of Programming of the Ministry of Health. The Minister of Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso and Senator Francesco Zaffini , president of the Senate Health and Labor Commission, sent a video message of thanks and greetings, who wanted to underline the scientific and human value of the initiative. The award is signed by the artist Lello Esposito , whose art is the most visceral expression of Neapolitanity. “At a time when research needs not only funding, but collective trust, this evening was a strong signal,” said Professor Antonio Giordano , president and founder of SHRO. “We are grateful to every single person who participated, helping to build a concrete bridge between science and hope. Our work continues, and the support we have received allows us to move forward with even more determination.” The Gala was able to count on the precious support of sponsors and partners who made it possible to achieve this exceptional result: Ble & associates , Innovaway , Promoitalia, De Clemente Conserve , Rigenera , EDM , Global Trading , Autosantoro , Fondazione Scudieri , Jadea , Petrone Group , Atìda Efarma , Mita , Claps (Laboratori Penisola Sorrentina), Tenuta Fontana , Bourelly Group , DLC , Zeus , Kiton , Cosmo , Smeraldina , ScegliPrima!, Cilento 1780; media partners Canale 21 , Pippo By Capri and Informare . An evening that also celebrated the culinary excellence of our Region, including all the delicious raw fish from Schicchitano and the mastery of pizza artist Vincenzo Capuano , all accompanied by the “alcohol-free gin” from Vesuvius . To all of them goes the heartfelt thanks from the entire SHRO organization. Reaffirming the centrality of teamwork for research is Giancarlo Arra , vice president of SHRO, who recalled how the Gala Dinner represents much more than a fundraiser: "This year, thanks to the contribution of over thirty entrepreneurial entities, we managed to raise 200,000 euros that will allow us to activate new scholarships and support the research projects underway in our laboratories between Philadelphia, Naples, Siena and Turin with the new SHRO center created in Candiolo. I would like to personally thank my fellow entrepreneurs who have chosen not to back down, but to be protagonists of independent, transparent scientific research that invests over 90% of the resources directly in laboratory activities" . Founded and directed by Professor Antonio Giordano and Doctor Giancarlo Arra, SHRO is a non-profit organization based in Philadelphia, Naples, Siena and Turin, which invests 90% of its resources directly in cancer research . With the Gala Dinner 2025, SHRO strengthens its role as a scientific and cultural bridge between Italy and the United States, at the service of life.