Volunteering and healthcare, a healing alliance: the Borgomanero Experience

In the heart of Piedmont, in the town of Borgomanero, there is a healthcare model that blends the work of public institutions with the energy and humanity of the third sector. Dr. Incoronata Romaniello, director of the Complex Oncology Unit at the Borgomanero Hospital (ASL Novara) and head of the Welcome and Services Center (CAS), shares this experience. She is also the founder and president of the association Mimosa – Friends of the Oncology Day Hospital.

«Volunteering isn’t a missing link,  it’s a real added value in care pathways», says Dr. Romaniello, speaking with the voice of someone who has stood by her patients every day, sharing in their fears, hopes, and daily struggles.

Founded in 2004, the Mimosa association was born from a clear idea: to offer integrated support capable of filling the gaps that public healthcare, even with all its resources, often cannot cover. These include practical, psychological, and social needs. All essential for facing the long journey of cancer treatment with dignity and humanity.

The “Fragile Families Protection” Project

Among the most recent and significant initiatives is the “Fragile Families Protection” project, promoted by the Oncology Network of Piedmont and Aosta Valley. It was designed to support families already affected by socio-economic hardships who are also facing a cancer diagnosis.

«We created a small team made up of a doctor, nurse, psychologist, social worker, and a representative from the volunteer sector. Together, we assess the family’s needs and build a personalized plan», explains Romaniello.

From paying bills to accompanying patients to appointments, from grocery vouchers to psychological support, and even managing childcare for very young patients,  every detail is taken care of thanks to a network of associations coordinated by the local health authority (ASL) and the Mimosa association.

A concrete example? «There was a family where the mother was gravely ill, and the father was the sole breadwinner – Romaniello recalls -. Mimosa covered the cost of private school to ensure the children had full-day care, while volunteers handled after-school support. The assistance continued even during the mourning period, with psychological and bureaucratic support».

“We don’t treat cancer. We treat people with cancer.”

For Dr. Romaniello, volunteering isn’t a parallel mission to medicine, it’s an integral part of it. There are no silos: «I’ve always been a volunteer, even before I became a doctor. Volunteering teaches you not to say ‘that’s not my job,’ but rather, ‘I’ll find out and get back to you».

It’s a mindset she’s passed on to her staff: «Time spent listening is time spent caring – she emphasizes -. We can’t limit ourselves to clinical data. Patients need to feel seen, welcomed, and protected».

Looking to the Future: More Synergy to Face the Healthcare Crisis

In a context where public healthcare is increasingly under pressure, Dr. Romaniello sends a clear message: «Institutions need to be more open toward the third sector. Volunteering is a valuable resource, not a hindrance. We need to build networks».

What once seemed an impossible challenge, the “Fragile Families Protection” project, has instead become a model of successful collaboration. «By involving other local associations, each contributing their own expertise, we were able to provide support that no one could have offered alone».

Registration in the RUNTS (National Single Register of the Third Sector) is now also a guarantee of reliability for associations that want to collaborate with public bodies, a path that Romaniello believes must be pursued with courage and determination.

A Growing Commitment to Volunteering

The Mimosa association continues to grow, fueled by its strong service mission. Beyond supporting cancer patients, it also promotes initiatives open to the entire community, focused on cancer prevention and health promotion.

Soon to launch is a symbolic and engaging project: a “Dragon Boat” team composed of women who have undergone breast cancer surgery, who will begin rowing together on Lake Orta. It’s another way to stand by patients, blending movement, community, and rebirth.

«Our website is www.associazionemimosa.it. We also have a Facebook page and a WhatsApp channel to stay connected. Just sign up for the free newsletter to receive all updates».