Alessandro Gattafoni 24 hours in a kayak, a record against cystic fibrosis

A round of applause on the notes of the song Eye of the Tiger welcomed Alessandro Gattafoni when, still aboard his kayak, he reached the port of Civitanova Marche after spending 24 hours at sea to set the record of 174 km and 900 meters.

The second stage of the fourth edition of the 125 Miles for a Breathan initiative born from an idea of ​​Gattafoni himself, a young man from the Marche region affected by cystic fibrosis and testimonial of the Italian Cystic Fibrosis Leaguewhich aims to raise awareness of the disease and the benefits of physical activity for patients who suffer from it.

In fact, on June 21st, Gattafoni completed a great human and sporting feat by setting a record of 174 km and 900 meters covered in 24 hours on his kayak along the Marche coast. The record has been certified from the Italian Canoe Kayak Federation by judge Volfrano Ramacogi: «As a Federation we are not aware of a similar record existing, for this reason it was important to certify it. We know Alessandro well and we had no doubts that he would achieve the goal».

Gattafoni is well aware of the challenges that patients have to face every day: «The event was born from the desire to demonstrate to oneself and others that despite the disability and the difficulties one can still emerge, especially in sports where disability is still seen as a stigma and an additional obstacle. With this enterprise, I would like to convey to many young people how important it is for those of us who have cystic fibrosis to train consistently: it is a therapy».

For the athlete, in fact, the kayak is a bit like a metaphor for his existence: «It seems like an easy sport that boils down to getting on board and paddling, but in reality it is a very complicated discipline, with a thousand facets. Just like in life, it requires passion, tenacity, sacrifice, even ending up against the rocks can be useful, because it teaches us to overcome them and grow further» he explained.

Claudio Natalizisecretary of LIFC, added that «this undertaking gives a lot of strength to all patients with cystic fibrosis, an invisible disease because it cannot be seen from the outside but it is there and is very invasive. We work to make this pathology less invisible and to help patients live their lives as normally as possible. The feats that Alessandro has accomplished since 2021 are proof that willpower can make a difference, and it was precisely his determination that made him become our patient testimonial for sport”.

The 2024 edition of 125 Miles for a Breath is divided into three separate events but united by a single purpose: to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and talk about the healthcare assistance for patients guaranteed by the Regional Treatment Centers present in almost all of Italy. “Our role is to also help the families of patients – adds Andrea Mengucci, President of LIFC Marche – because they often find themselves facing a disease they do not know, finding themselves catapulted into an unknown world. Thanks to Alessandro, for a few years the disease has been less unknown, even at the institutional level”. Last May Alessandro had kayaked along the coast between Vasto and Termoli while in September there will be the last challenge, a crossing from the Slovenian coast to Bibione.

Cystic Fibrosis, What Does It Mean to Suffer From It?

There cystic fibrosis, Humanitas recalls, it’s a genetic disease which affects the exocrine glandssuch as those that produce mucus and sweat. Those who pay the consequences of their malfunction are the lungsThe pancreasThe liverL’intestinei paranasal sinuses andreproductive system. As a result, those who suffer from it produce a thick and sticky mucus that, instead of moistening the surface with which it comes into contact, settles and blocks the airways. Any duct, including those that allow pancreatic juices to reach the small intestine to participate in digestion, is blocked. This mechanism results in absorption problems and an increased risk of bacterial infections that lead to malnutrition, serious lung damage, intestinal problems and abdominal pain.

Not only that: cystic fibrosis leads to the loss of many salts through sweating with electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, increased heart rate, fatigue, weakness, reduced blood pressure and heat stroke. Finally, the disease can increase the risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia and be associated with fertility problems in both men and women. Both women suffer from it about 5 thousand Italianswith an incidence of one case in 2,500-3,000 newborns, without distinction between males and females.