About Us

Founded in Bologna in 1978 by oncologist Franco Pannuti, Fondazione ANT Franco Pannuti ETS provides free specialist home care for cancer patients, at no cost to their families. Based on the resources available locally, ANT also offers free cancer prevention programmes. ANT’s guiding principle is summed up in the term “Eubiosia” (from the Greek eu / good and bios / life, meaning “life in dignity”), representing the qualities that give dignity to life at every stage of illness. Fondazione ANT is the largest non-profit organisation in Italy providing free home-based health and social care for cancer patients. Since 1985, ANT has cared for more than 170,000 patients completely free of charge through multidisciplinary teams operating in 30 provinces across 12 Italian regions (Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, Lazio, Marche, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Umbria and Sardinia). When complementary social services for cancer patients and cancer prevention activities are also taken into account, ANT’s presence extends to all 20 Italian regions.

Medical, Nursing and Psychological Home Care:

Free Home Care for Cancer Patients

ANT professionals provide a wide range of home care services tailored to the individual needs of each patient, from medical consultations and supportive care and infusion therapies to the management of parenteral and enteral nutrition, blood tests and transfusions, PICC insertion, basic wound care and the management of medical devices and equipment. Psychological support can also be provided, tailored to the needs and wishes of the people receiving care.

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Cancer Prevention

ANT has long been committed to cancer prevention through early diagnosis projects focusing on melanoma and thyroid, gynaecological and breast cancers. Since the launch of these programmes in 2004, 264,000 patients have received free screenings (including 19,276 in 2023 alone) across 88 Italian provinces. Prevention campaigns are carried out at ANT clinics located in several regions, in healthcare facilities made available free of charge, and through our mobile clinic: the Prevention Bus. Equipped with advanced diagnostic instruments, including a digital mammography unit, ultrasound scanner and videodermatoscope, the vehicle makes it possible to carry out screenings throughout Italy.

ANT operates across Italy through 104 local offices, coordinating the work of 1,976 volunteers, and 58 “da Cuore a Cuore – Charity Points”, spaces dedicated not only to fundraising but also to fostering ideas, projects and relationships, where volunteers play a highly active role.

At a local level, ANT branches are responsible for fundraising initiatives, organising the logistics required for home care services, and promoting awareness-raising activities.

Training and Research

Training:

ANT’s Training and Scientific Professional Development Unit organises conferences and professional development programmes (accredited for Continuing Medical Education – CME) in oncology, palliative care and psycho-oncology. The Unit is responsible for selecting and training ANT healthcare professionals, promoting awareness-raising and psycho-educational projects in schools, and developing school-to-work placement programmes (Law 107/2015) and youth volunteering initiatives.

It also organises meetings for caregivers and training courses for volunteers.

Research:

For many years, Fondazione ANT has been engaged in clinical research projects aimed at continuously improving the care standard it provides. Its scientific activity focuses on several areas related to palliative care, including the management of complex symptoms, the psychological aspects of care, caregiving and care model delivery.

ANT does not conduct laboratory testing and does not carry out animal testing, either directly or through third parties.

Social Support

To promote the patient’s overall wellbeing, the work of healthcare professionals is supported by social care services which — depending on the resources available locally — may include personal hygiene care, linen changes, a home lending library and video library service, and patient transport for diagnostic tests that cannot be carried out at home.

How ANT Is Funded

Based on 2021 figures, ANT finances most of its activities through donations from private individuals (38%), contributions from the 5×1000 tax scheme (13%), and legacies and donations (19%).

Public funding accounts for 19% of the funds raised.

A study conducted by the Human Foundation on the social impact of ANT’s activities found that for every euro invested in the Foundation’s work, €1.90 of social value is generated. The assessment was carried out using the Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology.

ANT ranks ninth nationally among non-profit organisations receiving contributions through the 5×1000 scheme in the voluntary sector category. Fondazione ANT pursues its mission in the name of Eubiosia (from the Greek meaning “life in dignity”).

The average cost of care provided to a patient by ANT is approximately €2,000 for the entire average period of care (excluding medication costs, which are covered by the Italian National Health Service and are broadly equivalent to the cost of care itself).

Given that the cost of one day in a residential palliative care facility is approximately €240, while one day of hospitalisation in a public hospital costs around €700, the resulting savings are clear (source: Ageing Society – Third Age Observatory, based on data from the Italian Ministry of Health and Farmindustria).

Equal Opportunities

Gender Equality Policy and Equal Opportunities

Fondazione ANT has undertaken a gender equality certification process in order to promote an organisational culture centred on respect for individuals and equal opportunities.

To this end, the Foundation has formally adopted its Diversity & Inclusion and Gender Equality Policy.