 THE RACE LIVE
Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque
 Having already participated in the previous two editions of “L'Étape du Cœur”, Paul Belmondo is one of the most loyal supporters of the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (Heart Surgery Sponsorship). The car racing driver was immediately convinced by the work of the association that organises operations in France for children affected by heart malformations that cannot be treated in their own country.
Paul Belmondo, MCC persuaded you to become an ambassador for the association…
Yes, at our very first meeting, as the work accomplished by Francine (Professor Francine Leca, pioneer of the project in 1996) is fantastic. To allow children in critical situations to have access to treatment is evidently a very noble cause. It also makes me aware of how lucky I am to have my children grow up in a country that has an effective and fairly complete health system.
Is this why you represent MCC at every possible occasion…
 Of course, I also represent the association on the Dakar, on the LMES Championships, which I participate in all season, and this year too on the 24 Heures du Mans. Like the Tour de France, these events have an immense media impact which means that more money can be collected and so more children can be saved. In concrete terms, the sale of “Small Heart” teddy bears on the 2004 Tour enabled us to save the lives of 40 children. I am also very sensitive to the work carried out by the host families who invest much time and effort in caring for the children before, during and after the operations. They contribute immensely to the project.
You're not worried about the 67 km of road waiting for you between Tours and Blois…
No, I'm used to cycling, although I haven't trained as much this year. But what counts most is for all of us to cycle together and to promote public awareness of the MCC. Cycling is certainly the best sport for publicising an operation concerning matters of the heart.
2005 Étape du Cœur Participants: Paul Belmondo, Dominique Bergin, Philippe Bouvet, Charles Caudrelier, Christophe Chenut, Arnaud Clément, Jean-Pierre Danguillaume, Antoine De Caunes, Anthony Delon, Gérard Holtz, Thierry Lacroix, Magalie Le Floch, Roxana Maracineanu, Jean-Paul Naddeo, Franck Piccard, Julie Pomagalski, Olivier Rivoalen, Nathalie Simon, Richard Virenque.
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