Operation “United Against Cancer”: €18,948 collected

The “United Against Cancer” operation, which took place from March 15 to 31, raised €18,948 for the League Against Cancer. In partnership with E.Leclerc stores in the Alpes-Maritimes, the organization was able to raise funds that will contribute to financing a research program. Funds that could greatly improve patient care.

Since 2003, the traditional donation campaign for pediatric cancer research has been held each year, initiated by the E. Leclerc Movement, in collaboration with the League Against Cancer. Aimed at “Children, adolescents, young adults and cancer“, the initiative aims to work on new treatments and to optimize patient care. €18,948 was therefore raised in 2026, which represents 47% more than the previous year.

Serious illnesses

Today cancers would constitute the leading cause of death from disease in those under 20 years old. According to the League Against Cancer, “Each year, just over 1,800 children under 15 are affected by these diseases in France. To these must be added approximately 2,300 new cases of cancer in adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25.”

Among more than 60 different types of pediatric cancers, we find for example, leukemias (blood cancer), brain tumors (brain cancer), lymphomas (lymphatic system cancer), sarcomas (tumors that develop in muscles, bones, tendons, cartilage…) etc… The peculiarity of these cancers in children is that they develop despite the absence of identifiable risk factors in most cases, often rapidly. Also, early diagnosis is crucial for effective care.

Significant progress

According to the League Against Cancer, research has evolved greatly over the past forty years: “the five-year cure rate for pediatric cancers is now estimated at 83%.” Indeed, in the 1980s, overall survival was around 40%. Today, it exceeds 80%, thanks to advances in genetics, imaging, targeted therapies and protocols adapted for children. This is one of the greatest advances in all modern oncology, even though some cancers remain very difficult to treat.

The results and outcomes of these projects are realized through:

• a better understanding of the origin of these cancers;
• the identification of new therapeutic avenues;
• innovation in patient care and treatments;
• improved daily life of young patients;
• improved quality of life once the disease has been overcome.

These results demonstrate continuous progress in research and improved care. The funds collected will help support new scientific projects and strengthen support for young patients. The coming years will show how these advances will be concretely reflected in the treatments and quality of life of affected children and adolescents.