A partner of the Tour de France since 2003, the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (MCC) association will once again be present this year during the three weeks of the event.
A.S.O. indeed helps  MCC, an association created in 1996 by Professor Francine Leca and Patrice Roynette, in order to allow underprivileged children who suffer of heart problems to receive surgery in France when it is impossible in their own country. To welcome even more children, have them go through surgery and send them back home in a healthy conditon: such is the goal of the association on a daily basis. As a result, over 950 children have gone through surgery in the last 10 years thanks to the help of partner companies, welcoming families, individuals and numerous volunteers.

Three weeks to buy the teddy bear key-rings in Tour de France colours
During the whole length of the event, the teddy bear key-rings “Petit Coeur” (Little heart), the symbol of the association,  wearing the colours of the different leaders jerseys (yellow, polka-dot and green) are on sale in the caravan with the Yellow Kit and in the different stores.
Added to that, MCC will be present during the Etape du Tour where the association will have its own stand in the Tour village.
The goal of the sale of these key-rings is to raise a necessary budget to allow 10 chlidren to receive surgery!

The Tour partners help out alongside Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque
Like each year, some of the partners will give their support to the association, including in 2006 the jersey sponsors, LCL-Le Crédit Lyonnais, Champion, PMU and Skoda, but also Antargaz, Nestlé Aquarel, and Eurotyre.
The support of these partners will allow the association to raise the necessary budget for the surgery of 15 children!

A heart stage on the Tour
Each year, MCC organises “L’étape du Coeur” which consists in having around twenty show-business and sports stars ride a time-trial stage.
This year, 52 kilometres will be covered between the cities of Saint-Grégoire and Rennes (stage 7 on Saturday the 8th of July 2006) by the stars that will be carrying the colours of the association.
Last year, the pack of star riders included the likes of Paul Belmondo, Arnaud Clément, Jean-Pierre Danguillaume, Antoine De Caunes, Anthony Delon, Gérard Holtz, Thierry Lacroix, Magalie Le Floch, Roxana Maracineanu, Franck Piccard, Julie Pomagalski, Guy Roux, Richard Virenque...

The partnership with the Tour de France has in 3 years allowed to save 66 children and will thanks to this new year help reach the number of 100 children saved by the Tour!

Funds and informations on www.mecenat-cardiaque.org