Toulouse: How Maxime Médard helped Laure overcome her leukemia
A few years ago, Laure supported rugby player Maxime Médard in his entrepreneurial projects. But after she fell ill, the roles were reversed. It is the Stade Toulousain player who comes to support the mother.
Laura is a fighter. She faced regeneration sessions and years of illness. In February 2019, doctors diagnosed him with leukemia. Laura has no choice. She will therefore have to be hospitalized for several months in Toulouse. In a veritable obstacle course, she successively followed enriched therapy, immunotherapy and then a bone marrow transplant.
In this long fight against illness, this mother has never been alone. She was able to count on significant support: various rugby players and in particular Maxime Médard from Stade Toulousain, accompanied her. “I held on too, because I was sent off. Maxime, for example, was present throughout, ”testifies the Toulousaine.
A story based on trust
In 2019, Laure Vitou was the director of the rugby players’ union. His job was to support high-level athletes in various projects. “That’s where I met Maxime Médard and we talked a lot. He had entrepreneurial ideas, but it was complicated. He had to have confidence in his plans,” adds Laure.
In February 2019, the roles are reversed. When the diagnosis is made and leukemia is detected, it is Maxime Médard who comes to Laure’s aid. A support that the Toulousaine is not about to forget: “I entered a verification protocol which did not work. I needed a bone marrow transplant. Maxime, but also other rugby players have communicated in favor of donations”.
“He really went after all the steps”
The solidarity driven by the rugby players is bearing fruit. Bone marrow reserves become important and many patients benefit from it. Maxime Médard will not stop there. “When I was at the Oncopole, he came to see me. He was always present. He had lots of little touches. For example, I told him that I liked certain pastries from a Toulouse artisan. The next visit, he returned with some baked goods. “.
The interviews are numerous and always beneficial for his health. Maxime Médard does not hesitate to introduce different therapists to Laure. “He really went all the way. He was proactive,” she says. With the help of her guardian angel, but above all thanks to her steely mind, the mother of the family is doing much better.
Today, Laure is in remission. She still needs treatment, but the worst is over. She can even resume the sport and running she loves so much. When Maxime Médard’s retirement was announced, Laure wanted to thank him. The player hastened to answer him: “Your journey has been strewn with pitfalls in recent years. […]. But you held on, with courage and a lot of questioning. Glad to have helped you, but still, you still have to work to surpass me in football, ”commented Maxime Médard, with his legendary touch of humor.