Overview

• Achille Polonara was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in early June after initial tests for mononucleosis proved negative.
• Acute myeloid leukemia is a fast-progressing blood cancer that affects bone marrow myeloid cells and demands immediate, intensive treatment.
• The 33-year-old forward, who underwent surgery for testicular cancer in October 2023, has begun leukemia therapies at Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital.
• Italy records roughly 1,200 to 1,500 new acute myeloid leukemia cases annually, contributing to an overall 3,200 to 4,000 myeloid leukemia diagnoses nationwide.
• Virtus Bologna clinched its 17th Serie A title on June 18 and dedicated the victory to Polonara, with teammates and fans rallying around their hospitalized teammate.