“A Voice for Melissa” – Three days of commitment, memory, music and food in San Mango Piemonte

The Melissa La Rocca ODV Association presented the fourth edition of the project “Una Voce per Melissa” : three days of events in which research, testimony, culture and music will intertwine to raise awareness and build consciousness.

The association has been committed for years to promoting knowledge, prevention and study of rare syndromes starting from the tragic story of the young Melissa. In particular on the "Brugada Syndrome" , a genetic heart disease, a reflection is active so that it is known and acted on in time.

Three evenings for reflection and civic engagement. To speak to young people with the language of music and with the strength of important messages. "We have transformed a pain into commitment, into a desire to speak to young people and prevention" said Vinicio La Rocca , Melissa's father. Each day will open with a moment of discussion with prominent figures from the institutional, academic and social world, who will be awarded the "Una Voce per Melissa - Sentire per Sapere" Award, a symbol of a concrete commitment to the values ​​that inspire the association. On July 11, the award will go to Doctor Nicola Gratteri , a Magistrate engaged in the fight for legality. The 12th award will go to Professor Carlo Pappone , a doctor and international researcher on Brugada syndrome, to Don Roberto Faccenda , promoter of the combination of faith and sport. On July 13, the award will go to the Honorable Vincenzo De Luca , President of the Campania Region and to Monsignor Alfonso Raimo , for their social and educational commitment.

“ The goal is to grow this event more and more, in the artistic part and in the prevention mission ” underlined Ciriaco Russomando during the press conference moderated by Gaetano Amatruda and which saw the participation of Peppe Iannicelli . In the suggestive square of San Mango , the Administration supported the event, the heart of the days with the National Singing Competition “Una Voce per Melissa”.

Three evenings of entertainment and talent with the artistic direction of Maestro Peppe Vessicchio , president of the technical jury on July 13th. Hosted by Olga Sammauro and Alfonso Senatore . On July 11th guests Mary Esposito and Rafelopazz , on July 12th special guest Valerio Scanu , guests Isa Jam and Raffaele De Seo vocal coach. On July 13th the final hosted by Gigi & Ross , guests the Tenors of Naples.

Adjacent to the event square, a food area will be set up in the municipal villa, managed by the 'Magno' Association of Tino Ciliberti . "A high-quality program" assured Gaetano Palumbo who spoke about the organizational part during the meeting with the press. The event, supported by local and regional bodies, represents much more than a musical event: it is the collective voice that calls for attention, prevention and research against the silent syndromes that affect young lives like that of Melissa La Rocca.

The heart of the initiative is the commitment to the study and prediction of arrhythmic and genetic syndromes that, as in the case of Brugada syndrome, often strike suddenly and fatally. Starting from Melissa's case, the Association works to promote screening, information and scientific collaboration campaigns, in synergy with Italian centers of excellence.

“A very important action that is growing, a hug to the organizers and the family who have transformed an unspeakable pain into commitment and promotion of a culture of prevention, into concrete action towards the youngest ” said the president of the Province Enzo Napoli .