Atalanta for the community: Christmas Match 2025 Proceeds Support Paediatric Research

From the football pitch to the hospital ward, Atalanta's proceeds from the 2025 Christmas Match Auction have helped make an important step forward in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood diseases.

The charity shirt auction, organised alongside TuttoAtalanta on Bergamo TV and the Fondazione della Comunità Bergamasca, raised €47,500 towards the purchase of a state-of-the-art LC-MS/MS mass spectrometer, donated to Bergamo's Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital by Amici della Pediatria ETS ODV. Worth €600,000, the new equipment will help improve the diagnosis of liver and metabolic diseases, enable more personalised treatments and support research into rare diseases.

"We are deeply grateful to Amici della Pediatria for their continued support in improving the care provided to all the families who turn to our hospital for their children's treatment," said Lorenzo D’Antiga, Director of the Maternal, Infant and Paediatric Department at ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII. "Alongside the many projects dedicated to the well-being of our young patients, this generous donation will make a significant contribution to scientific research, helping us explore new diagnostic and treatment options for rare diseases that are still poorly understood and for which no definitive cure is currently available."

"Since 2021, Amici della Pediatria has chosen to stand alongside scientific research by supporting the projects led by Dr Lorenzo D’Antiga and his colleagues at Bergamo Hospital. It is a commitment that comes from the heart and looks to the future," explained Milena Lazzaroni, President of Amici della Pediatria ETS ODV. "Every step forward in research brings growing hope and another opportunity for so many children and families. We will continue to believe, to support and to work together towards a stronger, brighter future. Because when science meets love, true miracles happen."

"We are delighted to contribute to this important project alongside our fans, whose participation and generosity make every edition of the Christmas Match so special," said Antonio Percassi, President of Atalanta BC. "The spectrometer will provide valuable support to the paediatric departments at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital and to the children who receive treatment there every day. I would like to thank Amici della Pediatria for the invaluable work they carry out every day, as well as the doctors and all the hospital staff for the professionalism and dedication with which they care for young patients. Their commitment deserves our deepest gratitude and support."

"I would like to thank Amici della Pediatria for their continuous, tireless and proactive support for our hospital, our youngest patients, their families and the work of our specialists. Your contribution is irreplaceable, adding value to the care we provide and the research we carry out," commented Francesco Locati, General Director of ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII. "Your affection, warmth and energy are felt every day by our doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals, who work tirelessly to find increasingly advanced and effective treatments for the diseases affecting so many families in Bergamo and beyond. My thanks also go to Atalanta and President Percassi. The example set by the Club, not only on football pitches in Italy and abroad but also in the local community through gestures of solidarity such as these, is a source of inspiration for so many people in Bergamo."

The donation was officially announced during a press conference held at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital. Atalanta was represented by Institutional General Manager Umberto Marino, Communications Director Jacopo Gismondi, Head of Communications Elisa Persico, Supporter Liaison Officer Marco Malvestiti, and Primavera players Daniel Curcio, Lyam Hodiamont and Jegors Olijars, accompanied by team official Mirko Vedovati.

Several winners of the Christmas Match 2025 shirt auction were also in attendance.