Saturday, June 22, 2024
Reading Time: 2 minutesA heartwarming journey unfolded as a hundred children in remission from cancer and leukaemia, accompanied by their families, embarked on a week-long sailing adventure along the French Riviera aboard 50 boats. On Wednesday, June 19th, these young sailors, aged 8 to 14, made a stopover at the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco, where they were welcomed for 24 hours. The event, known as the 12th Voiles de l’Espoir (Sails of Hope), was the result of 730 days of meticulous preparation. This year, the event was sponsored by Christian Millette from the TV show ‘Dance avec les Stars’. The journey began on Sunday, June 16th, from Saint-Raphaël, and on Thursday morning, the fleet set sail once again, this time heading from Monaco to Golfe-Juan, creating lasting memories along the way.
In Monaco the children attended the changing of the guard followed by a visit to the Palace hosted by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, then a lap of the famous F1 circuit in cars provided by Automobile Club de Monaco members. An emotional day ended with workshops at the Yacht Club de Monaco before a Princesses and Princes Pirates party. “We were so lucky to get into the Yacht Club” beamed a delighted Baptiste, age 13. “This adventure has been nothing but happiness as at home we only think about how little we can do, while here we don’t think about our illness and that’s really, really nice”.
Every two years, a remarkable event takes place, bringing together volunteers from around the world to create the largest nautical gathering for children in remission. This incredible initiative sees 400 dedicated adults supporting 100 young patients from diverse backgrounds, including France, Morocco, Israel, Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland, for an unforgettable week. Over the past 20 years, more than 1,000 youngsters have had the opportunity to participate in this extraordinary experience.
For many of these children, who have undergone intensive chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant, this event marks their first outing beyond the confines of their medical and familial environments. The carefully organized program aims to help each child regain their self-confidence, which is often affected by their illness. The event not only provides a fun and memorable experience but also creates a supportive environment where these young survivors can connect with others who have faced similar challenges.
Friday, June 21, 2024
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Saturday, June 22, 2024
