Introducing Marcello Bernabeo: A Slam- Dunk of Italian Canadian Inspiration and Charm

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Basketball player in white jersey jumping for a shot during a game in an indoor court.

Get ready to meet Marcello, a towering force on the basketball court with an infectious smile and a heart as vast as the courts he dominates. Born from a captivating blend of Canada and Italy, Marcello isn’t just a skilled player; he’s a beacon of resilience, joy, and sporting spirit.

Imagine the finesse of Italian style merged with the kindness of a Canadian spirit, all encapsulated in one extraordinary individual. Marcello’s story isn’t solely about basketball; it’s a narrative woven with determination, grit, and a dose of cheerfulness.

He’s not your typical player; he’s a master of the game and a maestro of life. From overcoming health challenges to achieving Paralympic gold, Marcello’s journey is as inspiring as it is compelling.

When he’s not dominating the court, he’s likely unleashing his adventurous streak with DIY projects at home or scaling mountains—this guy is adventurous!

So, let’s explore Marcello’s incredible story filled with positivity, love for the game, and a dash of Italian Canadian charm.

Can you tell me a little about yourself and how you got started playing?

Marcello Bernabeo is my name, and I was born in Timmins, Ontario, Canada, to Italian parents who emigrated for work. Because Timmins was too cold for my mother, we moved back to Italy, to Popoli Terme, when I was three years old.

I grew up in this small village. It is surrounded by majestic mountains that are home to the springs of the Pescara River, where I studied until graduation and began playing basketball when I was six.

My involvement in this sport came about because of a visit to my pediatrician, who advised my mother to take me to the basketball stadium to improve my condition due to the start of slopes.

I have never left this sport and have played with the Popoli Termeuntil we reached the Serie C National. Without any ambition, I’ve always enjoyed it. What I enjoy most is being in the middle of the field with my friends. The lightness of having the ball in my hand is why I still enjoy it after all these years.

Even the discovery of a genetic disease, polycystic kidney disease, at the age of 36 and the beginning of dialysis did not deter me. I was only arrested for a few months after a kidney transplant.

Can you describe the role of your family in your life and your basketball journey?

Throughout my life, my family has always been present and has never forced me to do other sports or give up basketball, even after my intervention. She was always at the games, ready to cheer me on.

Having the encouragement and help of my loved ones by my side, especially during the illness, is like fighting a disease not alone but with a strong team that supports you. But, just like my family, my friends and coworkers were extremely valuable.

Man playfully kisses smiling woman in cozy, indoor setting.

If your wife were to indicate what the‘quality’ that defines you most is, what would she say?

Altruism and sympathy.

What have been the most exciting moments in your life?

Well, besides marrying my wife Tina, I’d say the most thrilling moment to date was when I got the call for the transplant on November 6, 2015, while I was on dialysis. That call opened a second chance for me to live a normal life, coming out of a tunnel I thought would be hard, if not impossible, to escape.

Another emotionally significant moment would be the basketball I have in my hands as we speak. It’s a signed gift from friends I still play volleyball with for fun. It’s the ball from the first game I played with them after returning to Popoli Terme post-surgery, as a transplant recipient. They signed it as a reminder of that day.

What changed on the basketball court once you returned after the transplant?

There wasn’t a change in my role. I continue to play in my original position.

Perhaps what has changed is that my teammates, when we play together, are aware of my physical condition. So, they approach playing with me with a very different competitiveness, I’d say, with a particular focus on not marking me, because they know that contact sports can be dangerous for someone who has had a transplant.

How do you define your disability?

I define my disability as an “invisible”one, to distinguish it from those disabilities that are visible to the naked eye or deducible from the mechanical aids in use, such as the lack of limbs or the use of a wheelchair. The “aid” that I have is an internal organ donated to me by an angel. It allows me to live a normal life. With my new organ, I don’t need to remain connected to a mechanical aid like a dialysis machine.

How have you tried to overcome this aspect of danger in basketball?

To play basketball with my invisible disability, for which there isn’t a specific mechanical aid, I wear a band that protects the area of my body where I have the transplanted kidney. It’s a modified band. Let me explain. It’s the kind of band weightlifters use, padded with volleyball kneepads. The idea for the band is my creation, with input from a friend of mine who has a similar band and a friend of my wife who is a seamstress. I hope it can become an aid for other players, as it’s an extra safety measure.

What are the significant milestones in your journey as a player that you consider successes?

As I mentioned, reaching the Italian Series C was one of them.Another moment was when, four years after the transplant surgery, I discovered the existence of the Italian national association for transplanted and dialysis patients, ANED (https://www.aned-onlus.it/). ANED included basketball among various sports. I immediately contacted them. In July 2019, I was invited to participate in the irtraining session in Milan, and since then, I’ve been part of the National Transplanted and Dialysis Basketball Team.

What I consider the most important moment for me was participating with the transplanted basketball team at the 2023 World Transplant Games, held for the third time in history in Australia, in Perth, from April 15 to 21, 2023.

The 34 athletes from various Italian regions secured 24 gold, 13 silver, and 12 bronze medals in various disciplines: 5 km road race, cycling, pétanque, volleyball, badminton, table tennis, tennis, squash, swimming, athletics, basketball, bowling, golf, darts, sprint triathlon (500m swim, 20 km bike, 5 km run), lawn bowls (singles), and 6-a-side soccer.

My basketball team clinched the gold medal by defeating strong teams likeFrance, Australia, and the USA, bringing back the reigning champion title in transplanted basketball.

Basketball player in mid-air jump shot during an indoor game, wearing a white jersey with the number 43.

What does wearing the ANED national team jersey mean to you, and what legacy do you hope to leave as a
basketball player and as a transplanted person?

Wearing this jersey signifies a rebirth for me. From a hospital bed where I pondered my future, this jersey has given me the opportunity to continue playing basketball while carrying a vital message such as the importance of organ donation and the desire to live a normal life; to engage in sports for the love of one’s body; and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s a message that prompts reflection on past unhealthy habits, like excessive drinking, late nights, or poor eating habits.This jersey not only allowed me to return to basketball in a different way since I play as a Paralympian, but it also bestowed upon me the honor and responsibility of representing Italy both abroad and domestically. It grants me the great opportunity to share my story, to meet people from different parts of the world, as it happened in Perth during the World Championships, and to learn about other cultures and ways of life.

Most importantly, it gives me the chance to speak with young people whom I hope to instil with a love for life. When you’re young, you often don’t think about taking care of your body but rather tend to “use” it.

Athlete's journey: from hospital recovery to winning medals and celebrating with the Italian flag.
Person standing on snowy mountain with bright yellow pants and blue hat, under a cloudy sky.

Besides basketball, what else are you passionate about?

I enjoy trekking, which I discovered during the COVID pandemic; reaching a summit brings great satisfaction. It’s away for me to connect with those who gave me a second chance at life. And I also enjoy doing bricolage at home.

If you could share a message with the world, what keyword would it have?

The keyword would be “fun.” Because of basketball, I’ve always had fun. I never had the goal of becoming something through basketball. What I’ve always cherished is the joy of spending time with friends. Being able to play on the National Transplanted Basketball Team allows me to add not only fun and joy, but also the responsibility of conveying an important message, representing the organization itself and the national flag, to the people I talk to and share my story with. All of this I owe to basketball.

How is your relationship with Canada today? Do you often go back

Unfortunately, no. But I would love to return very soon. I try to keep up with what’s happening through the Facebook page of my city, Timmins. I feel very Canadian.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I still feel like a fortunate man, even more so after the illness. The second chance I got was to improve on the previous one.

Don’t be afraid to donate your organs. It’s an act of extreme generosity, altruism, and love for others.

Thank you, Nancy.

Stay mindful, sustainable, and open-minded

Smiling woman in red dress sitting on a white sofa, leaning on her hand.

Nancy Perin

Nancy is a caring individual with a background in sociology and a strong desire to connect people. She has improved workplaces and communities with her almost two decades of experience in management teams, human resources, coaching, and community project management. Nancy has also served on the board of directors of the Italian Personnel Managers Association and participated in a humanitarian mission to Dakar, Senegal, to support family centres.

Her intercultural love story sparked her interest in migration-relatedtopics and led her to launch @journeysta, a project that aims to strengthen cultural ties between Canada and Italy.

Nancy oversees the Gallery of Human Migration and believes in the possibility of creating caring communities that are involved in the processes of welcoming, acceptance, and integration. Join her on this journey of discovery and cultural exchange.

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