The approval of the reimbursement of the innovative drug Kaftrio, is the turning point for those who, like Rachele, fight cystic fibrosis from birth and have a compatible mutation with this therapy.
This result repays the Milanese driver’s years of commitment to raise funds for research with #CorrerePerUnRespiro, and which enhanced her solid sporting performance at the San Marino Rally
Cusano Milanino (MI), 30/06/2021
Eighth absolute position in the Italian Gravel Championship and second place in the women’s ranking: for Rachele Somaschini this is the synthesis of a very hot San Marino Rally, the third round of the Italian series dedicated to gravel road specialists.
However, the satisfaction of this race, which also expresses a crescendo of Rachele’s feeling both with her Citroen C3 R5, managed by Sportec Engineering, and with her expert navigator Nicola Arena, goes far beyond the sporting result. In fact, during the rally, Kaftrio, a drug for the treatment of cystic fibrosis, has been approved by AIFA (Italian Medicines Agency) and it will be entirely supplied by the National Health Service. Kaftrio will be made available in the following months for administration to Italian patients with a defined genotype.
This is a great moment of joy that Rachele Somaschini, rally driver suffering from cystic fibrosis from birth, wants to share with those who, for years, have been by her side in the effort to channel resources towards the search for a cure for the disease, by supporting the #CorrePerUnRespiro project promoted by the young Milanese in competitions and destined to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation (FCC), of which Rachele is testimonial.
A fundamental turning point, which has been waited for many years: studies and trials of the drug have shown its effectiveness with regards to a genetic mutation present in about 70% of the Italian population. For the interested parties, it means being able to hope for a clear improvement in the quality of life as well as an extension of the average life expectancy, which is now limited to 40 years.
“It is an exciting event – comments Rachele – for those who, like me and my family, have always had this hope and are committed to this battle every day. When I was born, the doctors who diagnosed me with cystic fibrosis told my parents that they had deep faith in the research, which was working to find a cure for the disease. Today, finally, that day has come for me and other sufferers with alterations in the protein responsible for the disease, because some very effective drugs for the treatment of cystic fibrosis have finally been made accessible. However, 27 years have gone by and for many of my friends the treatment did not arrive on time. Cystic fibrosis is a complicated disease, it has around 2,000 genetic mutations and understanding how to deal with it has required years of study and experimentation. Thanks to the results of clinical trials, we received some very encouraging news on the use of Kaftrio from the international scientific research, and we are very confident about its administration effects in Italy. I want to express my gratitude to those who have helped us in this fight, which unfortunately does not end here: the drug covers part of the genetic mutations responsible for the disease but there are still many patients who are still without any care and I will not stop fighting as long as the cystic fibrosis can be said to be defeat for everyone.
This great news – Rachele explains – has contributed greatly to give me the emotional power to face the race with determination, albeit as tough as San Marino, which was made even more difficult for me by the very high temperatures, which in the cockpit exceeded 50 °. The good progression of times in test repetitions and the consistency of performance, show that we are on the right path, even if we know we still have to work a lot and gain more experience to achieve better positions. I sincerely thank all my sponsors who allow me to be here, Sportec Engineering for having supported me as always in an amazing way and all my supporters who, following me and my project “CorrePerUnRespiro”, fill my commitment with meaning. “
Now the Rally Gravel Championship is taking a break – until the next appointment with the Rally Valtiberina scheduled from 6 to 8 August – and so will Rachele for a short time. However, given that the Milanese driver has never stopped working on other important projects, she is also developing a sporting commitment in other directions, details of which will be announced shortly.
Those wishing to support the #CorsaPerUnRespiro project, aimed at raising funds for research on cystic fibrosis, can choose the charity merchandise on corsaperunrespiro.it or make a donation.
Photo: Rachele Somaschini in action at al Rally San Marino, credit ©RaceEmotion Photography)
Contacts:
MOTORSPORT Press and Communication
Anna Canata +39 335 5810584
press@rachelesomaschini.com
CHARITY Project #CorrerePerUnRespiro
Paola Ferlini + 39 335 456 809
paola.ferlini@fibrosicisticamilano.it
