Cancer Support France

Video – The video for the CSF Cycle for Life to be held from June 22nd to June 25th 2017 is now available and can be viewed here. The video has been created by Annette Morris, the creator of the website: – www.csfcycleforlife.org 

Advert – Here is the advert for the CSF Cycle for Life bike ride as printed in the Cycling World magazine March 2017.

The magazine can be viewed on-line by clicking here . The advert is on Page 151.

Our 3rd Cycle for Life – This third CSF Cycle for Life, primarily organised to raise awareness, was held in memory of Linda Shepherd, the CSF founder who sadly died in March, aged 64.

This year the route ran from Carcassonne to Sète along the canals and coastal paths of Languedoc.  During the four-day 200kms ride, a total of 42 riders took part, sharing much fun and laughter.  Although the Ride is not a race, it is a challenge for the cyclists, many of whom join for their own cancer-related reason.  The riders included four Americans on holiday in France.  The sense of achievement and camaraderie on the final day, first at the lunchtime picnic stop in Agde and then at the Welcome at the Musée de la Mer (offered to us by the Mairie of Sète), was palpable.  Having been at the start in Carcassonne and the finish in Sète as well as at various spots on the way, this was a particularly moving moment for me.

The Cycle for Life is the only event which raises funds for CSF (National), the umbrella body which provides support to the 15 CSF affiliated Associations.  In particular, the National Association organises the training programme for our Active Listeners – the trained volunteers who provide direct client support.  Between them, the cyclists raised over €5,000, an amazing amount ,which will go towards funding our annual Training Conference in November.  It will also help full training support to be given to the newer Associations, such as Paris Île-de-France, who cannot yet fund a trainer.

In addition to the 42, one man rode his own Cycle for Life.  He had intended to cycle 400kms from his home in the Haute-Pyrénées to join the final day but the heat made him rethink and instead, each day, he cycled a 100kms circuit from his home, raising over €500 in the process!

There are many stories that could be told but maybe the lasting memory is the number of cyclists who want to do it again next year!!

Finally, my thanks must go, first, to Annette from La Franglaise who put in a huge amount of time and effort into organising the event and secondly, to the volunteers, mainly from CSF Languedoc and CSF Sud de France, without whose support, the event could not have been run.  I would also like to extend my thanks to the very generous sponsors – Vie et Velo; Mellow Velos; Freewheeling France and Renestance who, with the music of Outback, put on a lovely welcome at Sète.

For all the pictures from this amazing event, go to the Gallery. Also see the newpaper article in I’independant in the Media section

Penny Parkinson, President, CSF (National) – 27th June 2017

National President, Penny Parkinson, joined the ‘Girls Do Coffee’ show on Expat Radio on 8th June. She spoke about Cancer Support France in genera;l including who we are, how we came to be, the loss of our founder Linda Shepherd, and how we provide support both at a local and at a national level.

Penny also let the listeners know about upcoming fundraising events such as the CSF Cycle For Life event (22nd-25th June), and Activity for Life (September), and spoke about former Cycle for Life events, this year’s route, along with other activities held across the CSF Associations throughout the year.

‘Girls Do Coffee’ is hosted by Deborah Alexandra and lasts from 11am until 1pm.

Penny Parkinson – June 2017 

Cancer Support founder dies

Linda Shepherd was ‘an inspiration to us all’ and her work has helped thousands.

Cancer Support France founder, Linda Shepherd, has died at the age of 64 following her own battle with cancer.

You can see the full article in the Connexion website: – https://www.connexionfrance.com/news/cancer-support-group-founder-dies/459328

March 2017

International Cancer Information Service Group

Welcome aboard!
The ICISG Board of Directors have approved CSF’s application for full membership.

The ICISG is a worldwide organisation which shares best practice between cancer associations who provide support through the medium of telephone or email helplines.

Have a look at what they do here: – http://icisg.org/

And if you look at the French and UK members you will see that CSF is joining an impressive group!

February 2017

Ali Rainback’s Annual Cycle Challenge took place on the 22nd September with over 50 riders taking part in a charity bike ride in the Tarentaise Valley.

It was a hugely successful day with over €300 raised for Cancer Support France. Thank you so much for this kind donation.

Looks like everyone had a great day for a great cause.