This Friday, December 7, the teams of France Télévisions launch the 32nd edition of the Telethon. This marathon is intended to collect donations to fund research on rare diseases. Last year, the call for donations raised 89 million euros.
Jostled in his organization, but faithful to the post: the 32nd Telethon began this Friday night, for 30 hours live on France Televisions that will highlight the first "wins" won on rare diseases through gene therapy.
The two presenters, Sophie Davant and Nagui, have opened a "special perfume" telethon, according to Nagui, in an emergency studio: the two large transparent bubbles prepared to house the Place de la Concorde show have been abandoned because of yellow jackets expected Saturday in Paris.
The charity event organized by the French Association against myopathies (AFM) was repatriated for security reasons in the studios of France Televisions. "Despite the difficult and painful news, the Telethon is staying the course," said Sophie Davant in the introduction of the show.
Several animations canceled
Several events had to be canceled, such as the "Rare Diseases March" scheduled Saturday noon at the Luxembourg Garden in Paris, the "villages of the Telethon" to be located in Bordeaux and Quimper, or a "children's lottery" initially planned in Marseillan (Hérault).
On the set, the 2018 godfather, Pascal Obispo, kissed little Eugenie, 5, who benefits from the first available treatment for her disease, spinal muscular atrophy, which allowed her to gain muscle tone.
Last year, the call for donations had raised 89 million euros, down from 2016 (93 million), partly due to the concomitant with the broadcast of the popular homage to Johnny Hallyday. Donations, tax-deductible at 66%, can be made on the website www.telethon.fr or by phone at 36.37. where volunteers have been receiving pledges since Friday morning.