Cancer Support France

La Ligue nationale contre le cancer is the French charity which most closely resembles Cancer Research UK. It celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.  It was first called La Ligue franco-anglo-americaine contre le cancer, aiming to fund research into the disease across the three countries. Inevitably, separate national organisations developed and it took its current name in 1927.

Since then, La Ligue has expanded to provide support across France through its network of 103 affiliated comité départmentales.  All of these, including La Ligue itself, are registered charities relying on the generosity of volunteers giving their time freely, and funded entirely by donations.

Like Cancer Research UK, La Ligue is the largest non-governmental funder of research into cancer in France. But this isn’t all that it does.  It provides positive help to patients and their families.  Its national helpline gives a caller access to emotional support as well as information; lawyers give their time freely and there is a service to help those in financial need. Many local committees organise support groups for patients and families, as well as provide information and practical help.

It is La Ligue which instigates national campaigns of information to encourage screening.  It also sends trained volunteers into schools to talk to children about the dangers of smoking or the need for sun cover.

Finally, La Ligue supports many patient-centred associations, themselves charities, through grants.  For example, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, La Ligue supports Equilibre 66 and CAMI 66. The former is an association which, through its Maison ‘Entre Parenthèses’ in Perpignan, provides support for women touched by cancer.  As well as activities, the ‘Maison’ has a team of therapists to aid relaxation and a feeling of well-being.  An informal kitchen area encourages chat.

It has been recognised that suitably adapted sport during and after cancer treatment gives enormous benefits, both physically and mentally, to a patient.  This is provided through CAMI 66 which runs twice-weekly classes called ‘sport après cancer’. Both these associations rely on volunteers, the generosity of donors and organisations like La Ligue.

And did you know that our own Anglophone cancer support organisation, Cancer Support France, is in partnership with La Ligue?  CSF provides language skills to La Ligue nationally and locally, we work together to better support everyone in France, touched by cancer.

So next time you see someone shaking a La Ligue tin for a donation, remember that the money isn’t just for research.  And they have been fighting cancer for 100 years – worth a euro in the tin.

June 2018

Want to do something amazing to help english speaking people with cancer in France? Then why don’t you Cycle for Life in 2018?

The cycle ride will set off from Royan on 19th May and arrive in Sète on 1st June – travelling from the Altantic to the Med along the Canal des Deux Mers. There will be two rest days, one at Bordeaux and one at Caracassonne.

We would love you to join us for the adventure or for any part of the route.

Information about how to sign up for this amaing event to follow shortly. But in the meantime have a look at the pictures for 2017 Cycle for Life to see how much fun it is and how much benefit it provides for Cancer Support France.

May 2018

CSF Cycle for Life 2018 – From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean.

This year’s ambitious Cycle For Life, from the Atlantic to the Med, finished on 31st May after a 24kms circuit of Agde to see the Canal du Midi entering the Étang de Thau, and on into the Mediterranean.

Six brave people cycled the entire 650kms over a period of 13 days, and we were delighted to have Elizabeth and Curtis from New York with us.   The route took the cyclists across France from Royan on the Atlantic through Bordeaux, Agen, Toulouse and  Carcassonne, finally arriving in Agde.  Colin admirably led the cyclists, mainly in good weather, through the ups and downs of both a hilly and emotional nature when all was not going to plan.  Everyone took the set-backs in their stride, punctures, closed venues, stolen towels, missing luggage, detours due to boggy ground… ..!

A total of 32 cyclists took part, cycling one or more days, with 20 cycling on the final day.   Support and encouragement from CSF Associations was greatly appreciated as the cyclists pedalled along the canals, soaking up the scenery, as well as the odd downpour.  The presence of Mme Mayeux-Bouchard, the adjoint of the Mairie of Toulouse, was also a bonus when the riders arrived in the rose-red city.  Her interest in CSF and what we do is of great benefit in keeping the CSF name known.  Carbohydrates fuelled the gallant riders, with traditional fish and chips keeping up spirits in Moissac and Carcassonne.

The Cycle for Life is not a race, nor is it only for raising funds.  It is a fun way for people to share an experience, developing a wonderful feeling of camaraderie as they tackle the challenges, and to bring CSF some publicity along the way.  In addition, we are close to achieving our goal of €10.000 in sponsorship.  This will fund the Trainers’ Conference and Train the Trainer programme in November.

A huge thank you  to the helpers and supporters as the ride passed through various CSF areas, to the many sponsors who provided help, publicity and advice and a big welcome on the last day and, of course, to the cyclists.  Without them, there would have been no Cycle for Life.  Very many thanks to you all and especially to the Magnificent Six.

For all the pictures from the ride – have a look in the gallery – accessible over on the right hand side of the page.

May 2018

Cancer Support France’s work has been recognised, such that National President, Penny Parkinson, was delighted to accept an invitation to attend a garden party at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Paris, to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.

May 2018

Cancer Support France Attends a Royal Reception in Nice.

It isn’t every day that we are contacted by the British Embassy in Paris with an invitation to attend a reception, to be hosted by The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall… and that was only the start of the story.

We accepted the invitation, of course, and on 7th May National President Penny Parkinson, Angela Anderson – President of CS06 Alpes-Maritimes and yours truly as Vice President, presented ourselves at 17h30 at the security access to Villa Masséna. We had been told we were to be presented to the Duchess and were placed in our group (charities and education) on the manicured lawn… and we waited…

… and waited… for two hours! It was a hot evening, there were no seats or refreshments and why was I wearing three inch heels bought that morning? But, it was absolutely worth it. Their royal hignesses arrived and then separated to work their way along the lines of guests assembled along each side of the lawn. We were indeed presented to the Duchess who could not have been more natural or friendly or interested. We had a brief opportunity to tell her about CSF before she moved on to the next group but then managed a longer conversation with her private secretary.

Previously in the day, the royal couple had met survivors of the Nice terror attack last year and had laid flowers at the memorial. They had two other engagements before they arrived at the reception, so I have great respect for the energy and enthusiasm the Duchess demonstrated at the end of a long day. I bet her feet hurt just like mine!

After the presentations, the mayor of Nice spoke of the gratitude of the people of Nice for the support offered by the royal family after the terror attack and during his speech, he made the Prince of Wales a citizen of Nice.

I sometimes wonder what is gained from attending such events; is there a cost benefit? I can definitely say yes on this occasion. To be recognised by the British Embassy for inclusion is a great step forward in our relationship with not only the Embassy itself, but other organisations connected to it.

During our two hour wait, there was the opportunity to speak to so many folks who knew nothing of CSF and, with luck, the local and national Associations will benefit from raised awareness. We also met local groups who were successful fundraisers (there’s a lot of money on that stretch of coast) and again, we are hopeful we will benefit from these new links.

Now all I have to do is rescue the heels of my new shoes.

Pat Lockett, CSF National Vice President – May 2018