When purpose runs deep: How we are supporting a local athlete’s mission of resilience and awareness
Sometimes, our commitment to people goes far beyond packaging. It’s about standing behind the values that shape our communities — health, resilience, and human dignity. This year, that commitment took on a powerful new meaning through a partnership between our plant in Northern Italy with Stefano Dalvai, a local transplant recipient and ultramarathon runner whose story has touched hearts well beyond his hometown.
Thanks to our colleagues at Constantia Alucap, who first connected with Stefano and supported his mission; what started as a local story has become a shared journey. One that speaks to who we are, what we believe in, and how we can use our reach as a global company to support those making a difference.
A race against time and a new beginning
Stefano’s story begins in 2014, when he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare and aggressive disease that didn’t respond to chemotherapy. His only chance of survival was a bone marrow transplant.
“It was a race against time,” he recalled. “But thanks to a donor in Germany, I got my second chance at life.”
That transplant became what many in the community call their “second birthday” — not just a medical milestone, but a rebirth. And for Stefano, it was the beginning of something bigger than himself.
From recovery to ultramarathons
Stefano began to run. First a few kilometers, then more. “At the beginning I was starting from below zero,” he said. “But step by step, I built myself back up.”
Over time, running became more than a hobby, it became a way to inspire others and to prove what’s possible after transplantation. In 2023, Stefano competed in the World Transplant Games in Perth, winning his category and using the event to launch a fundraiser for the City of Hope, a foundation that supports children with blood diseases.
Then, earlier this year, Stefano entered a 100-kilometer national championship — a race for non-transplant athletes — and placed fourth in Italy. It was a moment that surprised many. But not Stefano.
“When people see a transplant recipient run 100 kilometers, they don’t just see a runner — they see what’s possible when you don’t give up.”
A mission with every step
For Stefano, running is not about records. It’s about visibility.
“I want to show people that life after a transplant doesn’t just go on — it can be extraordinary. I want to speak especially to the young ones, the kids who are going through something like I did. They need to know that this isn’t the end of their story.”
He sees sporting events — particularly those for transplant recipients — as a powerful platform to raise awareness for bone marrow and organ donation, and to give a human face to the importance of becoming a donor.
At the same time, Stefano competes in able-bodied races to push his own limits and to show that transplanted athletes can stand shoulder to shoulder with any competitor.
From local roots to shared purpose
That same spirit is what brought Stefano together with Constantia Alucap. A conversation with Matteo Rigon, our VP Finance Alu Division, and a friend from his football-playing youth, led Stefano to meet Valentino Torresan, the plant manager, and Jessica Caumo, Constantia Alucap’s HR lead.
Their meeting quickly revealed shared values. “When I talked about the City of Hope, Valentino already knew about it,” Stefano said. “His wife volunteers and collaborates for the association every year with holiday giving. That’s when I knew this was the right place.”
Jessica saw it too — and brought Stefano’s story to the Constantia Flexibles Group level.
“It’s not just about a sponsorship,” Stefano said. “It’s about a company that understands its role in the community and chooses to support something meaningful. That’s rare, and it’s powerful.”
A message for Safety Week and beyond
Stefano will be joining Constantia Alucap for October’s Safety Week to speak with employees about his experience, and the importance of belief, teamwork, and resilience.
Whether facing illness or simply the challenges of daily life, his message is clear: “The goal is never reached alone. You need to believe in something, a team, a purpose, a future, and take care of the good moments when they come.”
For Stefano, safety isn’t just about precautions, it’s about protecting what gives life meaning. “Even when you’re in the hospital, you can still find small moments of joy. You don’t fight against the disease; you live with it. And you hold on to the good when it arrives.”
More than an athlete — A voice for possibility
Looking ahead, Stefano’s ambitions are still growing. He will continue to compete, not just in transplant events, but alongside able-bodied athletes, and hopes to use each race as a platform for awareness.
But what matters most to him isn’t the podium. It’s the mission.
“I want people to believe in themselves — even if they start small. Set goals, reach them, then set bigger ones. That’s how we grow. That’s how we live.”
Gratitude for a shared journey
We are proud to support Stefano and grateful for the reminder that his story brings: that strength can look like perseverance, that recovery can become purpose, and that the values we share — health, teamwork, human dignity — are worth celebrating every day.
A heartfelt thank you to Jessica from Constantia Alucap, whose belief in this story and commitment to her colleagues made this partnership possible. Your care and dedication continue to inspire to the rest of us at Constantia Flexibles.
Link to donation: Fondazione Città della Speranza - Ricerca sulle malattie pediatriche
