How associations adapt for a pink October in the time of the corona

Illustration of Strasbourg, a race organized as part of an information and awareness campaign against breast cancer for pink October 2016. -

• This October 1 is launched the Pink October operation which takes place in a very specific health context due to the rebound of Covid-19.

• While some events can be held face-to-face, many races and sports competitions will be virtual, due to the epidemic.

• A heartbreak for some patients and associations who regret the lack of friendliness, physical activity but also the financial difficulties that this pale pink month represents.

"Since we must use the word vague in these times of coronavirus, we will make a pink wave on the GR75, walking on Sunday October 5, with 17 other patients and our families, all dressed in pink, says Isabelle Cassard, 47 years old. , a former patient of the Institut Curie.

It is our way of resisting the Covid.

Like her, many patients, former patients, relatives affected directly or indirectly by breast cancer, do not intend that Pink October be eclipsed by the epidemic.

Because this month of sporting and fun meetings remains essential for conviviality, research and associations.

But in this year plagued by Covid-19, associations had to reorganize themselves to offer suitable events without endangering the first concerned.

Raise awareness and exchange

For whom the meetings offered during Pink October are opportunities for exchange, support and information.

Certain events, awareness of self-examination, sophrology in particular, may be held in individuals or in small groups.

"It's important these real reunions, for illnesses, but also caregivers," says Isabelle Cassard.

But overall, a lot of appointments have been canceled, changed or will remain virtual.

“This communion is very much lacking this year, regrets Anne Bergougnoux, director of Odyssea, which has been organizing races since 2002. We feel that people need to come together.

But it is also to preserve oneself.

Some of these women are immunocompromised… ”

A heartbreak not only for the patients, but also for the associations that support them.

"During the treatment and after, these patients need to be very surrounded, to speak with women who are going through the same thing", continues Anne Bergougnoux.

From rowing to "avirose"

But Pink October is also the opportunity to discover or practice a physical activity.

For Isabelle Cassard, diagnosed in December 2017, the meeting with rowing in October 2018 was a revelation.

“It's funny, I had an appetite for water sports, swimming or aquagym, but not on the water!

»Admits this licensee of the Meaux rowing club.

Who is full of praise.

“This feeling of coordination that goes from head to toe, gliding, the whole body works, concentration ...” Many rowing clubs now offer health sections, especially for women operated on for breast cancer .

“Rowing is a complete and totally adapted sport,” she explains.

After the operation, the skin, the nerves and the muscles are affected, we are limited in our movements.

For reconstruction, we need to find a movement that does not hurt us, that moves a set of muscles, sometimes hidden.

But rowing, which glides on the water, allows everything to work smoothly.

"

This year, Isabelle had planned to take up a challenge related to Pink October: participate in the Traversée de Paris (28 km rowing hike on the Seine).

“But we were not able to prepare with the Covid, she regrets.

The club closed from March to September.

Unfortunately, when you have had an operation, you cannot launch yourself a 30 km rowing challenge without training… even if there are several of us!

»Hard blow which was compensated by« Avirose ».

Indeed, the French Rowing Federation allowed 16 former patients to participate in the Crossing Sunday, September 20 thanks to connected indoor rowers.

Arnachées to four machines, these former patients, at the foot of the Seine, therefore each rowed 6 km, stopwatch and course on television in line of sight.

D

For a long time, Odyssea, which organizes races whose profits are donated to the Gustave Roussy hospital, hoped to keep the race in Paris and with only 5,000 people… against 40,000 last year.

“But at the end of August, we said to ourselves that it was no longer possible and we did well in view of the last measurements!

», Breathes Anne Bergougnoux.

So the idea was born to offer the French a virtual race with the possibility of walking or running 5 or 10 km from October 1 to 4, depending on their ability.

Noon at work, in a small group or alone, in the forest on weekends… In spite of everything, to participate in a collective race and fund research into breast cancer.

Because each participant can download his bib on the site.

And this Thursday, the association proposes to meet in front of its screen for a collective warm-up, a webinar to talk about advances in research and a yoga session.

The same goes for the Aix-en-Provence Resource Center, which offers complementary care (osteopathy, reflexology, sophro, etc.) all year round to people suffering from cancer and their loved ones.

With a traditional highlight: for Pink October the Foulée resource brings together up to 1,700 runners.

This year, 500 people bought their bibs and are committed to going for a 5 or 10 km run wherever and whenever they want this weekend.

“This year, we cannot have a physical gathering, but we want to have a rally of the heart”, positive Ahmed Rachid, director of the center.

Who does not hide his disappointment.

“Beyond the race, it's a day of celebration,” he continues.

A bit like a fair with inflatable structures, make-up, dance lessons… This year, canceling this day means double the penalty for the beneficiaries.

Because after the months of confinement, these people who sometimes suffer from loneliness will not be able to meet for a moment of sharing, of challenge, of pride too.

"The virtual, it does not break the isolation," he continues.

For some, this race is the goal of a year!

"

Especially for those who encourage each other between patients to go for chemo and do cardio.

When we know that physical activity is particularly recommended during and after cancer, this slowed down access is all the more regrettable.

Between the sports halls which are closing (again) in several cities and the sporting challenges of Pink October less followed, it is less well-being for the patients.

“Recent studies have shown that playing sports is essential for healing and for preventing cancer from recurring,” recalls Anne Bergougnoux.

Moreover, more and more hospitals are offering adapted physical activity, yoga, tai chi… "It is more important than ever to provide information on the benefits of physical activity," adds Isabelle Cassard.

With the Covid and the lack of physical activity, I felt the return of pain that I had just after the operation and even weight loss.

»An observation shared with her rowing teammates.

Financial difficulties

For these associations which have had to readjust, these competitions represent a financial stake.

Usually, Odyssea races bring together more than 40,000 people and raise nearly 600,000 euros for cancer research.

“We have 5,000 participants connected, but it goes up every day, reassures Anne Bergougnoux.

We know that the profits will be very modest this year.

The objective was above all not to stay on this white year and to symbolically show that we are standing.

The deadly losses linked to confinement and the concern linked to the economic crisis do not push companies or citizens to pay their contribution to associations.

To the point that some, the smallest and most fragile, see their financial balance falter.

At the Resource center in Aix, the signals are red.

“We have employees and 900 m² has a cost!

synthesizes its director.

Usually, the Foulée brings in nearly 35,000 euros.

This year, we hope to reach 25,000.

But it is on a daily basis that we struggle for the survival of the center.

As we fight for the beneficiaries, and we know how much they need additional care, we have energy!

"

Health

Coronavirus: Patient associations no longer want to be left out

Health

Coronavirus: Increased anxiety or little change, cancer patients tell of their confinement and their fears for the future

• Association

• Research

• Covid 19

• Breast cancer

• Women's health

• Coronavirus

• Health

• Cancer