Engagement and Outreach
TIGEM Open Doors
On an annual basis, TIGEM welcomes local pupils, teachers, and science enthusiasts to tour our facility, learn more about the Telethon mission, and how we try to fulfil it.
Visitors are given basic mini lessons related to biology and research and then are invited to visit laboratories to try to use some simple techniques and experience the excitement of seeing experimental demonstrations.
TIGEM Open Doors helps us to promote transparency and awareness of genetic disorders, but it also encourages students to gain an interest in science and thus help them to choose a career path that may allow them to help others through their efforts.
In addition, our students are posed with the challenge of expressing their research in simpler terms while remaining articulate at the same time.
Telethon Walk of Life
Walk or run the Telethon Walk of Life to help save genetic diseases! Hosted annually across several Italian cities, participants make a small donation in exchange for a knapsack, a chance to learn about our cause, and the unforgettable and priceless experience of helping others. This event not only raises awareness of our cause by sharing patient stories but also raises additional funds to the Telethon Foundation. Telethon corporate partners kindly contribute to the participant knapsacks and support this event. At TIGEM, we look forward to participating in the Naples Walk of Life every year. Telethon’s research focuses on rare genetic diseases that primarily affect children and young adults and often lead to decreased lifespan and increased physiological disability. The primary objective of the Walk of Life is to promote awareness and share patient stories of those diagnosed with rare diseases. Telethon's sole purpose is to fund research in order to make therapies for such diseases possible. Donations made through Walk of Life go directly to Telethon and fund their essential research.
Who does Walk of Life benefit?
Telethon’s research focuses on rare genetic diseases that primarily affect children and young adults and often lead to decreased lifespan and increased physiological disability. The primary objective of the Walk of Life is to promote awareness and share patient stories of those diagnosed with rare diseases. Telethon's sole purpose is to fund research in order to make therapies for such diseases possible. Donations made through Walk of Life go directly to Telethon and fund their essential research.
Telethon Marathon
Every year TIGEM contributes to fund raising efforts in the annual Telethon Marathon.
The annual Telethon Marathon runs for a week on national Italian television, sharing the foundation’s initiatives and the stories of the many patients that benefit from its efforts. This event is extremely important because it increases general awareness of rare genetic diseases, which are unfortunately universally neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and load governments. Telethon derives its name from this annual event (a portmanteau of the words “television” and “marathon”).
The Telethon Marathon is a good opportunity to involve all Telethon and TIGEM personnel. Many students take the fundraising events into their own hands and appear on the program to discuss their studies and findings. These talks are accompanied by short narratives, which share the stories of some patients struggling with rare genetic disorders.
The generosity of the public results in large funding contributions, highlighting the importance of creating awareness of rare genetic diseases on a national scale.
Collaborative Efforts
TIGEM takes advantage of local research centers and scientific entities to reach the public and create awareness of our research.
We often collaborate with schools in order to help students develop their interests. Many of our PhD students and researchers regularly visit local schools and give presentations to high school students. Students who are already interested in science or those who are not sure what kind of career to pursue may gain inspiration from such visits, which is important for the future of research.
TIGEM also collaborates with local organizations such as The Città della Scienza ("The City of Science").
This local scientific museum offers demonstrations, guided visits and seasonal exhibits, welcoming schools to learn about all things science.
Our researchers visit this museum, participate in some of the demonstrations, and present some of the important highlights of TIGEM's projects.
This is not only important for vocalizing our efforts and involving the public, but it gives our researchers another opportunity to learn how to present their projects in a way that is easy for all groups to understand or relate to. This is crucial for public to understanding and appreciation of the efforts behind scientific research.
Volunteers and TIGEM visits
To share the purpose of its initiatives, TIGEM welcomes volunteers and primary, secondary and high school children to its facility in monthly guided visits.
Just as with TIGEM Open Doors, school children and Telethon volunteers are given basic mini lessons related to biology and research and are then invited to visit laboratories to learn about some simple techniques and experience the excitement of watching an experiment unfold.
