Associazione Don Giulio Farina

Associazione Don Giulio Farina (DGF) is a volunteer association based in Monza, Italy, dedicated to supporting people facing cancer and their families. It takes its name from Don Giulio Farina, a chaplain at San Gerardo Hospital in Monza during the last years of his life (1984–1990), who asked Prof. Vincenzo Nociti to continue his work with patients. The association was founded in 1991 and has since operated alongside the oncology patients of San Gerardo Hospital, offering listening, accompaniment to treatments, reception at the day hospital, and solidarity initiatives. For over 30 years it has been present in the atrium of the PTMO (Percorso Terapeutico Medico Oncologico, formerly Day Hospital), providing welcome, information and support to patients and their relatives while they wait for medical visits and therapies. Its mission centers on human relationship, creating a bridge between patients, families and the healthcare system. The association is led by a president; Prof. Paolo Bidoli is the current president, and from 2008 to May 2025 it was guided by Dr. Paolo Perego, a surgeon trained alongside Prof. Nociti, under whose presidency the association significantly expanded its initiatives and projects for patients. In 2022 it received the Premio Corona Ferrea from the Municipality of Monza for its constant commitment and social value. DGF organizes fundraising and awareness events, including the Lions Running in Monza Park, charity dinners, spiritual and art therapy events, and anti-smoking educational campaigns for schoolchildren. It is a non-profit volunteer organization (C.F. 94529790159) that relies on donations, including the 5x1000 mechanism, to continue its work.

Associazione Don Giulio Farina was founded in 1991, inspired by the life and work of Don Giulio Farina, a chaplain at San Gerardo Hospital in Monza from 1984 to 1990. Don Giulio had spent twelve years among the farmers of the lower Milanese area before dedicating himself to hospital patients, to whom he gave day and night. Struck by a tumor, he died in one of the beds where he had so often comforted others. His constant concern until the end was not his illness but the pain of leaving "his patients." He therefore asked Prof. Vincenzo Nociti to continue that path, and thus the association bearing his name was born in 1991. Since then, volunteers of the Associazione Don Giulio Farina have been a daily and precious presence alongside oncology patients at San Gerardo. They offer listening, accompany patients to treatments, manage reception at the day hospital, and promote support and solidarity initiatives. From 2008 to May 2025, the association was led by Dr. Paolo Perego, a surgeon trained alongside Prof. Nociti. During his presidency, the association experienced significant development, greatly expanding initiatives and projects for patients of the Oncology Day Hospital at San Gerardo Hospital. On 27 June 2022, the association was awarded the Premio Corona Ferrea by the Municipality of Monza for its constant commitment and the social value of its work. The association continues to operate with a focus on human relationship, creating a bridge between patients, families and the healthcare system, and relies on donations and events to fund its services.

• 2025

  Dr. Paolo Perego's presidency ends in May; Prof. Paolo Bidoli serves as president.

• 2022

  Awarded the Premio Corona Ferrea by the Municipality of Monza on 27 June.

• 2008

  Dr. Paolo Perego begins his presidency, leading to significant expansion of initiatives.

• 1991

  Association founded, inspired by Don Giulio Farina and encouraged by Prof. Vincenzo Nociti.

Non-profit volunteer association providing human-centered support to oncology patients in Monza, acting as a bridge between patients, families and the healthcare system.

1. 1DGF – Don Giulio Farina – Accanto a chi affronta ogni giorno la sua battagliadongiuliofarina.it
2. 2Chi Siamo – DGF – Don Giulio Farinadongiuliofarina.it
3. 3Associazione Don Giulio Farinawikidata.org