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© Marie Babey
Francine et Enfant
Partner of the Tour de France since 2003, the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (MCC) organization will once more be present this year throughout the 3 weeks of the event.
MCC is an A.S.O.-sponsored organization set up in 1996 by Professor Francine Leca and Patrice Roynette, with a view to carrying out operations in France on disadvantaged children suffering from heart malformations when this is impossible in their native country. The organization’s daily challenge is to receive an ever-growing number of children, carry out the operations and see them back home in tip-top shape.
The result: in just over 10 years, operations have been carried out on some 1,200 children through the generosity of partner enterprises, foster families, private donors and a host of volunteers.
Throughout the event, the organization’s symbol, the “Little Heart” bear key-rings, wearing the Tour’s distinctive colors (yellow, red polka-dot, white and green) are on sale in the caravan with the Yellow Kit as well as on Internet. The sale of these key-rings is aimed to raise funds for operations on 5 children!
Similarly, MCC will be present during the Étape du Tour where the organization will have a stand in the village and be selling Heart Cyclists’ jerseys to fund an operation for at least one extra child.
As each year, a certain number of loyal partners will be backing the organization: ANTARGAZ, CHAMPION, LCL, PMU, ŠKODA and the SAUNIER DUVAL cycling team.
Partner commitment makes it possible for MCC to raise the necessary funds for carrying out operations on several dozens of children!
Since the organization’s aim is to operate on an increasing number of children, the support of new partners would help meet this need.
© Jacky Naegelen pour MCC
Les coureurs du cœur
Since 2003, MCC has been organizing “L’Étape du Cœur©", in which a pack featuring some 20 celebrities rides it out over a time trial stage.
This year, on Tuesday 8 July, sporting the organization’s colors, the celebrities will be putting their hearts into covering 29 kilometers around Cholet.
Partnership with the Tour de France has, over 5 years, made it possible to save almost 150 children.
For donations and information go to www.mecenat-cardiaque.org
