Septembre en Or: Initiatives boost pediatric cancer research and awareness

During the ‘Septembre en Or’ awareness month, various initiatives in France have focused on combating pediatric cancer through research and community mobilization.

In Nantes, the CHILD research team at the Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie et Immunologie Intégrée Nantes Angers (CRCI²NA) is investigating pediatric bone sarcomas, specifically osteosarcoma. Led by Benjamin Ory, the team studies how the tumor microenvironment and epigenetic factors influence cancer progression and treatment resistance. In France, approximately 2,500 young people are diagnosed with cancer annually, with about 400 new cases of pediatric bone tumors reported each year.

In Bordeaux, the rugby club Union Bordeaux Bègles (UBB) partnered with the CHU de Bordeaux to support pediatric oncology. Through the sale of commemorative merchandise and community engagement during matches, the club raised 2,500 euros for the CHU de Bordeaux pediatric department. The partnership also included the renewal of a convention to strengthen ties between players and hospital patients through visits and awareness campaigns.