"Great against Cancer Family Homes" for Children

Leonardo is a lively seven-year-old who just finished second grade with excellent grades. To celebrate, his parents gave him a new bicycle. He lives with his father Giuseppe, mother Sara, and little brother Gabriele, who’s three.

A curious and talkative child, Leonardo loves his dad’s cooking, especially pasta dishes like ragù. Although he’s not interested in learning to cook, he enjoys playing video games and board games with his brother. The family often travels in their camper, and Leonardo enjoys both beach and mountain holidays.

A Critical Moment of Care

Leonardo’s case was complicated, and when doctors in Parma struggled, Dr. Marco Zecca of Pavia stepped in. His parents are grateful not only to Dr. Zecca but also to Luca, a psychologist from Soleterre, who provided crucial support.

“You talk to family and friends, but it’s not the same,” says Giuseppe. “We couldn’t have done it without Luca. He helped Sara, who stayed in the hospital, to manage the situation better. Thanks to him, we found strength and calm, especially when Leonardo became angry and rebellious. Only Luca could calm him down.”

Luca also taught Leonardo to play chess, which quickly became a family favorite, with Leonardo now beating everyone!

The Challenges After the Hospital

Leaving the hospital didn’t mean the challenges were over. “People don’t realize how hard it is to explain your child’s condition, or deal with others’ reactions,” says Giuseppe. “Luca helped us navigate those moments.”

Soleterre’s Essential Role

The story of Leonardo shows how essential emotional and psychological support is for families in crisis. Soleterre’s psychologists, both in Italy and worldwide, play a critical role in helping families find the strength to cope with their challenges and move forward with hope.