SPAR Italy regional retailer Maiora (DESPAR Centro-Sud) supports initiatives important to local communities. Recently, they joined ‘La Carovana della Prevenzione’ (The Caravan of Prevention), an initiative from Komen Italia that aims to make available free examinations to prevent gender-related cancers.

In October, the national programme of Komen Italia will see some municipalities in Puglia and Abruzzo receive access to the cancer prevention initiative. Maiora operates stores in those regions so their support will benefit shoppers living in those areas. Komen Italia is a non-profit organisation, active nationally since the year 2000 in the fight against breast cancer. Its mission is to develop a conscious attitude toward the importance of cancer prevention.

“For DESPAR Centro-Sud,” explains Pippo Cannillo, President and CEO of Maiora, “the partnership with Komen Italia means sealing our commitment to and attention for the theme of women’s health. Komen Italia’s protection has important repercussions on the wellbeing of the entire community, due to the fundamental role that women play in the family, work and social spheres”.

In the car parks of designated stores within DESPAR Centro-Sud’s network on agreed dates, mobile units with all the necessary equipment and staff to carry out examinations will be located. Residents can make appointments for these free services through dedicated pages available on DESPAR Centro-Sud’s or Komen Italia’s websites. Through access to parking sites, Maiora supports prevention information centres being made available in these territories.

If diagnosed late, cancer becomes increasingly dangerous. More than 3,000 of the 56,000 Italian women with breast cancer were diagnosed late last year: in 2021, the pandemic led to an average 35% reduction in examinations.

Source: DESPAR Centro-Sud

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About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAIR Italia, was first granted the SPAR Brand’s licence in 1959. The first store opened in 1960, making SPAR the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy licenses regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country.

The DESPAR consortium operates stores under three formats: DESPAR neighbourhood supermarkets, EUROSPAR Supermarkets, and INTERSPAR Hypermarkets. Many of the larger format stores are company-owned, reflecting the scale of investment required. The independently owned neighbourhood supermarkets are a vital part of the organisation’s strategy to bring a high-quality, tailored grocery offering to communities.