What are the Challenges?

Every challenge begins with a simple idea: turning personal endurance into collective impact.

Whether walking across Spain, running a marathon, or completing an Ironman, each challenge is an opportunity to raise funds for cancer research, inspire others to take action, and build a community around hope.

Since 2023, these journeys have brought together hundreds of supporters from Switzerland and Japan, transforming individual effort into meaningful support for scientific research and young researchers.

Each new challenge becomes another step toward the same mission: creating hope through action.

  • 2023 - Camino de Santiago

    A 781 km solo pilgrimage from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela became the first challenge in this journey.

    With the support of more than 160 donors, CHF 16,088 - around JPY 3 million - were raised and donated to the Institute for Research in Biomedicine in Bellinzona.

    The funds financed a competitive grant for young postdoctoral researchers. Among 11 applications, the grant was awarded to a promising melanoma research project led by Dr. Tommaso Virgilio.

    What began with one step became tangible support for scientific progress.

    Read more

  • 2024 - Zurich Marathon

    My first marathon became the second challenge: turning 42.195 km of personal effort into collective impact.

    With the support of more than 80 individuals and companies, CHF 15,036 - around JPY 2.75 million - were raised for a joint research project between the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and the Institute of Oncology Research in Bellinzona.

    Led by Dr. Andrea Cavalli and coordinated by postdoctoral researchers Dr. Concetta Guerra and Dr. Jacopo Sgrignani, the project investigates the WWP1 and WWP2 proteins as a promising pathway toward new therapeutic approaches.

    Another finish line became a new beginning for research.

    Read more

  • 2026 - Ironman South Hokkaido

    My first full-distance triathlon is also my biggest challenge yet: 3.8 km of swimming, 180 km of cycling, and a 42.2 km marathon in Hokkaido, Japan.

    This new chapter brings together individuals, companies, and friends from Switzerland and Japan, transforming personal endurance into support for the next generation of cancer researchers.

    100% of the funds raised will finance a Faces of Hope Pilot Grant, supporting an innovative Swiss-Japanese cancer research project selected through a national call for proposals by the Faces of Hope Advisory Board.

    The journey continues - one challenge, one researcher, one step closer to hope.

    Support now

Supporters

How you can support

  • A first step


    CHF 5 / JPY 1,000

    Even the smallest contribution matters. Many first steps together can start a journey of change.

    Donate CHF 5 / JPY 1,000

  • A set of samples


    CHF 50 / JPY 10,000

    Support the materials needed to test an innovative idea. With your help, a researcher can move from theory to practice.

    Donate CHF 50 / JPY 10,000

  • A key experiment


    CHF 500 / JPY 100,000

    Enable a crucial experiment in cancer research. This level of support can generate the first results that open new directions.

    Recognition on website and SNS channels.

    Donate CHF 500 / JPY 100,000

  • A breakthrough opportunity


    CHF 2,500 / JPY 500,000

    Fund a young researcher’s project idea with a direct pilot grant. Your support allows a postdoc to generate preliminary data and apply for larger grants.

    Recognition on website and SNS channels, plus a feature in the Faces of Hope Donor Series.

    Donate CHF 2,500 / JPY 500,000

  • Donate easily with TWINT

    Switzerland only

    Donations via TWINT are anonymous. To help us keep track and properly thank you, we would appreciate it if you let us know.

Who I am

Hi, I'm Andrea Nava.

I'm not a professional athlete or a scientist. I'm simply someone who believes that personal challenges can create real impact.

Since 2023, I've transformed endurance challenges into fundraising initiatives for cancer research, bringing together people from Switzerland and Japan around a shared mission.

Through Faces of Hope, my goal is to support the next generation of cancer researchers while inspiring others to discover that meaningful change often begins with a single first step.

Join the journey

I hope you’ll join us on this journey: by making a donation and/or by sharing this initiative with others.

Small steps. Real impact.

Support Faces of Hope