An Azalea for Life - Running Against Cancer

A tradition of solidarity spanning nearly forty years

An Azalea for Life - Running Against Cancer is one of the most cherished charity events in the Garfagnana region. Held every spring in Camporgiano, a small town in the province of Lucca, Tuscany, it has been a beloved fixture for the Serchio Valley community for decades. The event was founded to support cancer research and is part of the major national AIRC Foundation Azalea for Research campaign, which brightens thousands of Italian squares every year.

Two days of music, art, and sport

The event spans an intense weekend. On Saturday evening, the Camporgiano Civic Center hosts a refined piano concert, a cultural opening that kicks off the solidarity festivities. Simultaneously, an exhibition showcases works created by local primary and secondary school students, who participate in an art competition dedicated to mothers.

Sunday is the beating heart of the event: from early morning in Piazza San Giacomo, at the foot of the picturesque Rocca Estense, the distribution of solidarity azaleas begins. Shortly after, the famous 10km non-competitive fun run sets off, open to everyone, winding through the woods and hamlets of Camporgiano, Vitoio, and Casatico. It is a route immersed in the nature of the Garfagnana, where sport and solidarity merge into a unique community celebration.

An event that is the entire town

The organization is the result of collaboration between local associations: the Fratres of Casatico-Vitoio, the Pro Loco of Camporgiano, and the Misericordia of Camporgiano, with the patronage of the municipal administration. This network of volunteers, together with the dozens of people who take to the square every year, makes a result that grows with every edition possible.

Why it's worth attending

• A deeply rooted tradition of solidarity, among the longest-running in the Garfagnana.
• A 10km route through the woods of the Serchio Valley, suitable for families and walkers.
• The authentic atmosphere of a Tuscan village at the foot of the Apuan Alps.
• The pleasure of concretely supporting cancer research by purchasing an azalea.

Participating in An Azalea for Life means experiencing a weekend that weaves together culture, sport, and civic engagement, while discovering one of the most genuine corners of the Tuscan mountains.