"I'd like to share a dream: I'd like to open an association in Italy that helps young people with lung cancer." - Valeria
I'm Valeria, 28 years old. In June 2025, I was diagnosed with stage 4 ALK+ lung adenocarcinoma. My symptoms were a persistent cough, hoarseness, a croaky voice and a lump in my neck.
The support of my family and my partner was the real difference; I clung completely to them and their love. I also discovered the enormous power of sharing: finding people with the same condition as me made me feel understood and less alone. Looking at and breathing in the sea reminded me that I'm still alive.
At first, I started writing "my cancer diary," but then I realised it wasn't helping anymore. I see a psychotherapist every month, and I'm finding it very helpful. What's really helping me, though, is trying to do something nice every day: it could be breakfast with a friend, a weekend in the hills, a walk by the lake, a concert. Eventually, I decided to start my Instagram page @UnRespiroAllaVolta_ to share my pain and hope with others who are suffering like me.
The biggest lifeline has been my family, my partner, and my friends. They supported me profoundly. They walked me by the hand in this new life of mine, because I was at my lowest, I had completely collapsed. I also found unexpected love and support from strangers, people I met online, with whom I share the pathology. I received unexpected gestures of affection that made me feel less alone. After I opened my Instagram page, I received a lot of love from so many people.
I've only recently been diagnosed and released from the hospital, so I'm just rediscovering my body. I try to walk every day, but I'm thinking about taking up swimming; they say it's very beneficial.
The hospital provided me with all the necessary information regarding the treatments I needed and the ALK mutation I had. However, the doctors didn't have a 360-degree view of me, so I searched online for information and, above all, for exchanges and opinions on dedicated groups I found on Instagram and Facebook, which helped me tremendously. I'm also reading the book Living with Lung Cancer.
I work as a business consultant on environmental sustainability, gender equality, and equal rights. Cooking new recipes relaxes me; I also enjoy dancing and singing while I cook!
What brings me peace in the darkest moments is the love of my family and my partner. It also helps me to listen to music. The sound and smell of the sea brings me back to the here and now. My mind has also been greatly helped by adopting a little dog and caring for her, holding her, cuddling her, always close to me, reminding me that I'm alive.
It's a crazy diagnosis to receive at this age, so I think we really need support and sharing. It would be wonderful to be able to create a group of people who understand each other, support each other, exchange opinions and suggestions, to help each other and feel part of something that transforms pain into something beautiful.
