A prize pool that exceeds 120,000 euros, the government which is committed to providing administrative assistance, messages of support day and night… The story of Léna, a nine-year-old girl suffering from a rare cancer, crossed the borders of Burgundy. Her mother did not expect such an outpouring of generosity.
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On September 27, we told you the story of little Léna, a little nine-year-old girl with chordoma. It is a rare cancer that develops in the bones at the base of the skull and spine. The tumor spreads to other parts of the body in about 30 to 40% of patients. Each year, it is diagnosed in only one in a million people.
Léna is passionate about classical dance and horse riding.
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© Séverine Sourd
In three years, Léna underwent two operations and seven treatments. After several recurrences, Séverine says that her daughter was abandoned by the French medical profession. Her only hope is now on the other side of the Atlantic, in the United States, where doctors are more optimistic about the nine-year-old girl’s case.
But the treatment is expensive: between 300,000 and 400,000 euros. Séverine therefore launched a prize pool. In ten days, it has already reached more than 128,000 euros. If Léna’s mother did not expect such an outpouring of generosity, it is not enough to pay for medical expenses in the United States.
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But hope has been reborn in recent days. Thursday, October 3, a relative of Séverine rode Avallon to the Élysée by bike in the hope of meeting the State and highlighting Léna’s case. Jérôme was received at the Elysée. The French government promises to help the little girl. They will facilitate organization and trade with the United States.
“They said they would help us. That reassures me, everyone has done a lot of things. They will especially help us with research, with contacts, with transport to go to the United States”says Séverine.
News that gives hope to Séverine. If the State is committed to contributing on an administrative level, it is also because the story of Léna has gone beyond the borders of Burgundy. Her mother receives many messages of support.
In Avallonnais, some restaurants have set up a basket where customers can make a donation. Sunday September 29, all proceeds from a French football cup match in Avallon were donated to Séverine.
Léna, nine years old, suffers from cancer which affects one in a million people each year.
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© Séverine Sourd
The latter would never have suspected that her daughter’s story would touch so many people. “We can’t believe it, we don’t know how we’re going to thank people. We don’t feel alone with them. With all these people mobilizing, we really have to get there. The government has realized that the entire region is mobilizing for Lena and much more.”
All that remains is to find the remaining funds and a hospital capable of caring for her in the United States. And time is running out. For a month, Léna has no longer had any treatment and her condition is getting worse. This outpouring of solidarity could well allow the nine-year-old girl to win her fight against cancer.
