This month of October, the Rugby Club Nîmois is renewing its commitment to the Les Roses du Gard association, dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer.
The Rugby Club Nîmois (RCN) continues its societal commitment by joining forces for the second consecutive year with the Gard association Les Roses du Gard as part of Pink October, an awareness campaign on breast cancer. This Saturday, October 12, on the occasion of the reception of the Rumilly club (9th) on behalf of the 6th day of Nationale 2, several actions will be organized, all of the profits of which will be entirely donated to the association.
Rugby, a societal actor
For Steeve Calligaro, president of the RCN, the club’s social commitment is obvious. “Rugby is a team sport, rooted in sharing and solidarity. Supporting causes as important as that of Pink October is a responsibility that we cannot ignore. Many of us have been affected, directly or indirectly, by cancer is a cause that is close to our hearts, and we want to put our light and our notoriety at the service of this fight.”he underlined this Monday, October 7 during a press point organized at the Kaufmann stadium.
Last year, the auction of one of the jerseys reached €1,350, an amount raised thanks to the jersey of number 12, center Robin Demars. This year again, the club hopes to mobilize and raise public awareness through this solidarity action. The Roses du Gard will also have a prevention stand on site, making it possible to inform and raise awareness among spectators throughout the match.
“Breast cancer kills 13,000 women per year”
With these two care centers opened in La Rouvière (2022) and more recently in Générac, the Les Roses du Gard association and its tireless president Hélène Milan are renewing its partnership with the RCN for this new Pink October campaign. Thanks to their efforts, Les Roses du Gard were able to raise €45,000 last October, a vital amount for the association which operates with an annual budget of €90,000.
“Pink October is not simply a fight against breast cancer, but above all an information campaign. Even today, breast cancer kills 13,000 women per year”recalls Hélène Milan. The Maisons Rose et Olivier welcome patients during the day, offering them supportive care, individually or in groups, provided by 27 volunteer therapists. Currently, the association has 130 members, 14% of whom are men, recalling that cancer also affects the male population.
A solidarity action that mobilizes
This renewed collaboration between the RCN and Les Roses du Gard underlines the capacity of sport to play a driving role in raising awareness of major public health causes. For Steeve Calligaro, this type of partnership is a way to place rugby at the heart of citizens’ concerns.
“It is essential that rugby is present in all strata of society and that it participates in actions that respond to the needs and concerns of citizens. This type of initiative shows that we are engaged in our community, and that our club, beyond the field, is there to help.”
