On February 13th, 2026, the Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli will host Rare Disease Day 2026 at Sala Vasari, focusing on the integration of complementary therapies into care pathways for patients with rare skeletal diseases.

The discussion will engage the institutional and scientific community and will centre on the research programme“Pronti a Salpare 2”, where sailing activities have been developed as a therapeutic intervention within the national initiative VELANDO.

The event will bring together representatives of national institutions, regional health authorities, regulatory agencies, healthcare organisations, patient organisations, and patients, fostering an inclusive and multidisciplinary dialogue on innovative care approaches for rare bone diseases.

Moments like this are essential to strengthen collaboration between research, clinical practice, institutions, and patient communities, ensuring that innovation translates into meaningful impact for those affected by rare bone diseases.

Sailing for Rare Skeletal Diseases – A Rizzoli study presented on Rare Disease Day

Last Friday, on the occasion of Rare Disease Day, the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute held an ERN BOND endorsed event presenting the results of its experimental projects in the presence of Minister Alessandra Locatelli, Regional Health Councillor Massimo Fabi, and representatives from AIFA.

Conducted at Rizzoli by a multidisciplinary team of geneticists, physiatrists, rehabilitation specialists, psychologists and engineers, coordinated by Dr Luca Sangiorgi, Director of the Rizzoli department for Rare Skeletal Diseases, the study revealed an improvement in both mobility and psychological wellbeing among young patients.

Data collected from adolescents aged 12 to 18 who took part in the “Pronti a Salpare” project confirm that sailing activities can have a positive impact on the health of those living with rare skeletal diseases.

The study opens new perspectives for innovative therapeutic approaches and now aims to establish a structured scientific protocol thanks to the collaboration with the Lega Navale Italiana, and with the support of UNIAMO – the Italian Federation for Rare Diseases.

The initiative is part of the national programme “Velando”, promoted by the Minister for Disabilities, Alessandra Locatelli, who took part in the presentation at Rizzoli, discussing advances and future prospects in complementary therapies.

In the group photo (from left to right): Francesco Ettorre, President of the Italian Sailing Federation; Massimo Fabi, Regional Health Councillor for Emilia-Romagna; Andrea Rossi, Rizzoli General Director; Luca Sangiorgi, Director of  Rare Skeletal Diseases depertment; Admiral Donato Marzano, President of the Lega Navale Italiana; and Armando Magrelli, AIFA officer.