Faces of Hope
Cancer research is hope. And hope has a face.
Why
Cancer research is not abstract. It has a face, a name, a story.
Each challenge supports one young researcher - giving science a face and advancing cancer research.
How it works
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The Challenge
Every personal challenge can become a collective journey.
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The Face
An advisory board selects three candidates. One is chosen.
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The Impact
Funds go directly to the researcher - advancing their work in cancer research.
Past Impact
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2023 - Camino de Santiago
A solo pilgrimage. 781 km on foot from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela to support cancer research, one step at a time. Over 160 people joined the journey, raising CHF 16,088 (around JPY 3 million), fully donated to the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) to fund a promising melanoma project led by Dr. Tommaso Virgilio.
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2024 - Zurich Marathon
From my first marathon to a meaningful mission: I ran 42.195 km in Zurich to support cancer research. Together with 80+ supporters, CHF 15,036 (around JPY 2.75 million) were raised and donated to the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) and Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) for a project led by Dr. Andrea Cavalli, Dr. Concetta Guerra, and Dr. Jacopo Sgrignani, targeting WWP1/WWP2 proteins - a promising path toward new treatments.
Faces of Hope
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Dr. Tommaso Virgilio
Postdoctoral Researcher, Infection & Immunity Lab, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Dr. Andrea Cavalli
Group Leader, Computational and Structural Biology Lab, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Dr. Concetta Guerra
Postdoctoral Researcher, Computational Structural Biology Lab, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
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Dr. Jacopo Sgrignani
Postdoctoral Researcher, Computational Structural Biology Lab, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), Bellinzona, Switzerland
Next Face
Announced June 2026.
Shortlist by the Advisory Board. Final choice by the Faces of Hope community.
Call for applications
Are you a young postdoc in cancer research?
Faces of Hope supports one project each cycle with a direct pilot grant.
Applications for 2026 will open soon.
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Postdoctoral researchers in cancer research.
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Final amount depends on fundraising results (September 2026).
Projects for rapid testing or development of innovative ideas, approaches, or methods in oncology.
Aim: to generate preliminary data for future, larger grant applications.
Funds may be used for reagents and consumables only.
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Submit a half-page project proposal in English, written concisely for non-specialists (problem + proposal).
Deadline: Thursday, April 8, 2026, 12:00 noon (JST).
Submit to: info@nava-projects.ch
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Reviewed confidentially by the Advisory Board.
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Brief report after one year (summary of data + outlook for grant use).
Short presentation of the project at a gathering in Tokyo (Oct/Nov 2026).
Support for Faces of Hope communication activities.
Support cancer research
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A first step
CHF 5 / JPY 1,000
Even the smallest contribution matters. Many first steps together can start a journey of change.
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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.
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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.
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A pilot grant
CHF 5,000 / JPY 1,000,000
Fund a young researcher’s project idea with a direct grant. Your support allows a postdoc to generate preliminary data and apply for larger grants.
Advisory Board
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Update #1
The first step is credibility.
I am happy to share that the Advisory Board of Faces of Hope is now being formed.A small group of scientists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders will guide the initiative: reviewing applications, ensuring transparency, and connecting the project with science and society.
This is the foundation on which the grant will stand.
Media & interviews
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Radio Interview - Radio 3i
September 25, 2023
A conversation with Andrea Nava and host Valerio Ventura about the Camino de Santiago and the Faces of Hope mission.
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Newspaper Interview - Corriere del Ticino
September 27, 2023
An interview with Andrea Nava by journalist Irene Solari about the launch of Faces of Hope and its mission.
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Newspaper Interview - Corriere del Ticino
November 13, 2023
An interview with Andrea Nava by journalist Irene Solari, focusing on the Camino journey, the funds raised, and the Faces of Hope mission.
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Live Presentation - Faces of Hope Main Event
April 12, 2024
Launch event where Andrea Nava discussed with Dr. Nina Buffi, donors, and friends his Camino de Santiago experience. Dr. Tommaso Virgilio presented the first supported project, and the second challenge - the Zurich Marathon - was announced. More than 100 people attended the event.
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Newspaper article - LaRegione
April 17, 2024
An article covering the Faces of Hope launch event and the first pilot grant supported at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
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Radio Interview - RSI Rete Uno
April 19, 2024
A conversation with Andrea Nava, Dr. Tommaso Virgilio, and host Fabrizio Casati about the Camino journey and the Faces of Hope mission.
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Newspaper Interview - La Domenica
April 21, 2024
An interview with Andrea Nava by journalist Andrea Bertagni about his journey as Head of Communication and as the promoter of the Faces of Hope initiative.
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Live Presentation - ATTE Sementina
May 14, 2024
A conversation with Andrea Nava and host Giuseppe Del Notaro, sharing the Camino de Santiago experience and the commitment to support cancer research.
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Newspaper article - LaRegione
June 14, 2024
An article about the second pilot grant supported at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), part of the Bellinzona Institutes of Science (Bios+), Switzerland.
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Newspaper article - Corriere del Ticino
June 16, 2024
An article about the second challenge of Faces of Hope - the Zurich Marathon - and the “Corsa della Speranza,” a major annual event raising funds for cancer research in the Canton of Ticino, Switzerland.
Supporters
