The Story of Alessandra
Alessandra Palma Modoni, a pulmonologist from Lecce born in 1977, lived a calm life with her two children and partner Pierluigi, for whom the fear of losing her ran deep. She always believed in the importance of sport for overall well-being. Her life drastically changed in November 2019 when, after a night shift, she found herself diagnosing her own condition.
“It was an intense period both at work and at home,” Alessandra recounted, explaining that she ran to stay fit and find personal time. She noticed unusual fatigue, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, and a strange nausea. A blood test led to the hypothesis of acute myeloid leukemia. Both she and her husband, being doctors, immediately grasped the gravity of the situation. “My blood count had plummeted by two points,” she stated, describing it as a “cold shower” but emphasizing their immediate response: to research, to fight, and to speak openly, though gently, with their children. Her deep faith served as a pillar of strength throughout this arduous journey.
Intensive therapy followed, a long period of isolation in a sterile room, and a swift bone marrow transplant, made possible by her brother’s compatibility. The COVID-19 pandemic erupted while she was undergoing treatment in Rome. Her husband would visit with the children on weekends; later, due to restrictions, only her son could stay with her for several months.
From Sterile Room to Marathon Finish Line
Just over six years later, on Sunday, March 22, Alessandra crossed the finish line of the 31st Acea Run Rome The Marathon. Upon returning home, her body was weak; she had lost weight, muscle tone, and hair, and was on numerous medications. “I certainly couldn’t consider myself in shape,” she admitted. However, her mind responded to her husband’s encouragement to resume physical activity, in moderation.
From an amateur runner, Alessandra transformed into a competitive athlete. “I had never considered competitive running; competition was very far from my way of experiencing running,” she recounted, “then something just clicked.” She joined a sports club (ASD Tre Casali) and began participating in 10 km races and half marathons, discovering a particular aptitude for trail running.
Running kilometers and medical check-ups blended into a new routine, with Alessandra fully embracing her roles as mother, wife, and doctor. “My husband and I had talked about it being wonderful to run a marathon together,” but due to his injury in recent months, Alessandra ran alone, completing the Rome Marathon in 4h25′, though the clock wasn’t her priority.
It was a family joy, shared even during the race, with Pierluigi cheering her on at various points along the course. “I managed the race steadily, even finding a burst of energy in the final kilometers, a reserve I didn’t know I had.” Reflecting on her experience, she said: “Am I happy? Perhaps the illness was the instrument through which I looked within myself. I had to take time for myself, and although it was a dramatic experience in itself and in its circumstances, I was reborn, stronger than before, transforming it into an opportunity for change and improvement. I wanted to tell my story so that it might inspire someone: the psychological aspect, the desire to fight back, is fundamental. I found it in my family, in my husband, in my children, for whom I hope to be an example. Now I look forward to the next one, and this time I hope my husband can be with me.”