To fight against sickle cell disease, they will cycle 250 km between Toulouse and Sète
Two brothers and two friends will cycle between Toulouse and Sète this weekend of August 27 and 28. During the 250 kilometers of their journey, they will wear the colors of the DREPA31 association which fights against sickle cell disease, a genetic disease that affects red blood cells.
The challenge was planned in a friendly way. For Jean-Philippe, his brother Rémy, their friends Stéphane and Christophe, the objective was to reach Toulouse and Sète by bike in two days. “250 very tough km! sums up Jean-Philippe who wanted to take the opportunity to pedal for a cause.
From one meeting to another, he became closer to the DREPA 31 association which raises awareness of sickle cell disease, the first genetic disease in France and in the world which affects hemoglobin. “Of Caribbean origin, I knew about the disease because it mainly affects Afro-Caribbean populations, but I wanted to make it even more visible to raise awareness among the population. And, on our bikes, we hope to meet people! “, explains Jean-Philippe.
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Delighted with this communication opportunity, the DREPA 31 association provides them with t-shirts with their logo and has launched an online kitty to supply funds for the benefit of patients and research (1). “Drepanocytosis affects more than 20,000 people in France and many others are unaware of it. In this disease, the red blood cells are affected, they change shape, which creates, in particular, anemia, bone pain, “explains Marianne Lescouzères, secretary of the DREPA 31 association.
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The four cyclists will leave on Saturday August 27 at 7:30 a.m. from the Pont des Demoiselles in Toulouse. Their objective is to arrive in Capestang at the end of the day and to leave on Sunday for Sète.