Around thirty participants arrived by bike at the Parc de la Navale on the morning of Monday, September 21st, for an awareness event dedicated to Alzheimer's disease, coinciding with its annual World Day. This charity relay, organized by the association Alzheimer Aidants Var, aimed to foster better understanding of the disease and encourage support for research.
Six communes were crossed, including La Seyne-sur-Mer, where the communal Hygiene Santé Inclusion service facilitated the welcome of participants. The other communes involved were Bandol, Sanary, Six-Fours, and Toulon. The final stop was in Ollioules, where a puzzle made of heart-shaped pieces, symbolically collected at each stage, was assembled.
“"Every kilometer covered reminds us that we must move forward together."
Jamila Laronze, coordinator of Les Pensées, a day care center for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, emphasized the importance of collective progress. She stated that the goal was to raise donations to advance research.
“"We are on the verge of significant breakthroughs."
Alexandra Derrien, a neuropsychologist, indicated that important advancements are imminent. She explained that current research directly targets brain lesions, reducing decline by 35 to 45%, a significant improvement compared to early 20th-century approaches. Early detection through a simple blood test, by searching for biological markers before symptom onset, is another key challenge.
“"Talking about it already lightens the burden of this scourge."
Mayor Dorian Munoz, accompanied by his deputies Nadine Garcez (delegate for Seniors) and Jonathan Roth (delegate for associative life), praised the initiative. He highlighted the importance of discussing this disease that impacts millions of lives, noting that 'talking about it already lightens the burden of this scourge,' especially for caregivers facing immense emotional and physical strain.
