The social role that companies are called upon to play in the broader context in which they operate is becoming increasingly evident. It is a trend that is already underway, with Corporate Social Responsibility as a key factor in positively defining one's impact on the community through the support of projects of social value. According to the latest Csr Report by the Socialis Observatory, the average investment in CSR by Italian companies has been growing over the last twenty years, reaching 282 thousand euros in 2021, an increase of 17 percent compared to 2019.
The culture of giving, directed at improving people's quality of life and reducing inequality, also translates into research aid. According to the latest survey by Dynamo Academy and SDA Bocconi Sustainability Lab, 2019-2021 saw an increase in the number of companies that decided to support the world of research, healthcare and public health (59 percent of the sample), also in close connection with the effects of the pandemic.
Fondazione Veronesi has been implementing projects for years with more and more numerous companies and national organizations to fund more and more researchers and projects of the highest scientific profile. Among these realities, Kirey Group has confirmed its support for the Foundation for 2024 as well, strengthening a now well-established collaboration, to promote not only scientific progress but also the well-being of employees, through awareness and dissemination activities.
For this new year, Kirey Group is supporting for six months the work of Dr. Damiano Scopetti, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Perugia, who is pursuing a research project related to adenocarcinoma of the lung, one of the most frequent and serious cancers. Although the possibilities at the therapeutic level have increased over the years, in many cases standard chemotherapy remains the only treatment option for patients with this disease. The goal of this research is to investigate the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the switching on of the INSL4 gene in cancer cells so that a strategy can be developed to intervene pharmacologically and counteract its development.
"I note with pleasure how the number of companies that are committed to supporting oncology research has increased in recent years, indicative of a greater awareness of what is an increasingly common health issue. The entire social fabric can contribute in this regard, and companies that choose to fund research projects have in their hands the opportunity to do good for the entire community. In this context, I particularly appreciate Fondazione Veronesi's scientific and human interest in us researchers, because it supports us by instilling more confidence and accompanying us along the long path of research," says Dr. Damiano Scopetti.
Kirey Group's commitment to research and health also extends to the corporate level, with activities aimed at encouraging a proper culture of wellness and health among its employees. In this sense, the company has long been a promoter of the awareness and prevention initiatives carried out by the Foundation, involving staff in participating in meetings related to healthy and proper nutrition, to encourage healthier lifestyles.
"We are pleased to reaffirm our support for the Veronesi Foundation and such important research as Dr. Scopetti's again this year. We believe it is crucial to actively contribute to the promotion of health and well-being of the community and our employees. For us, donation has a deep social value that translates into contributing to the improvement of collective well-being," explains Alessandra Girardo, COO of Kirey Group. "Our collaboration with Fondazione Veronesi has evolved over the years: in the past we have focused on projects related to the field of neuroscience, linked to health issues present in the company. This year we are particularly proud to support research that soon could make a difference in the treatment of cancer patients with lung adenocarcinoma."