Record shattered for the Golden September operation with precisely 19,328 km traveled by nearly three thousand people in Saint-Pol, Frévent and Fruges. For five years, under the aegis of Jean-Bernard Decottignies, the Lions Club du Ternois has been mobilizing to raise awareness among the general public about pediatric cancers and raise funds to finance research at the Oscar-Lambret center in Lille: already more than thirty a thousand euros were thus paid, to which will be added nearly six thousand euros already collected this year. It’s not over yet since an evening is being organized at the Catherinette nightclub in Saint-Michel-sur-Ternoise on Saturday October 19, whose five-euro tickets will be added to the prize pool.
The Golden September operation is therefore a great way to support research, while public funding tends to decrease: “Each year, nearly 2,500 children are treated at the Oscar-Lambret center. These cancers can be treated in 90% of cases, but for the remaining 10%, it is always a tragedy. To extend the life of a child by six months, three years of research are needed. And research is today mainly financed by donations”confirms Jean-Bernard Decottignies, who can nevertheless be proud of having made this cause known in the region: “From now on, when we talk about Golden September, especially schools, but also residents know what it is about. Every year, we try to expand the operation. This year, we also joined the Jacques-Brel college in Fruges; last year, it was the Sacré-Cœur school in Frévent. In total, we have nearly 2,800 students who are involved. » Thus, the Lions Club team devoted four days to organizing the different races, starting with the students of the Châtelet high school, then those of the Saint-Louis and Salengro colleges, and finally those of the Mendès-France high school at the Léo-Lagrange stadium. , before leaving for Frévent and Fruges. Two hours were also open to the general public.
The Salengro middle school students were particularly involved: the little sister of a student, herself suffering from cancer, came to accompany “the adults” and even did a few laps with them, thus helping to set a new record of 2,607 km for the college, which also raised €875 through various actions and events. “The establishments also organize sales of rolls and ribbons to increase the prize pool. The races are above all for the symbolic aspect, it allows students to be involved in the cause”explains Jean-Bernard Decottignies, delighted to see that the schools are faithful to the meeting and beat a new record every year. So less than 700 km are missing to reach 20,000 km: if they count the dance steps during the evening at Catherinette, that should do it!
