Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque
Francine & Enfant© Marie Babey
Partner of the Tour de France since 2003, the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque (MCC) organization will once more be present this year throughout the 3 weeks of the event.
MCC is an A.S.O.-sponsored organization set up in 1996 by Professor Francine Leca and Patrice Roynette, with a view to carrying out operations in France on disadvantaged children suffering from heart malformations when this is impossible in their native country. The organization’s daily challenge is to receive an ever-growing number of children, carry out the operations and see them back home in tip-top shape.
The result: in just over 10 years, operations have been carried out on some 1,400 children through the generosity of partner enterprises, foster families, private donors and a host of volunteers.
Three weeks to buy the bear key-rings sporting Tour de France jersey colors
Throughout the event, the organization’s symbol, the “Little Heart” bear key-rings, wearing the Tour’s distinctive colors (yellow, red polka-dot, white and green) are on sale in the caravan as well as on Internet. The sale of these key-rings is aimed to raise funds for operations on 5 children!
Similarly, MCC will be present during the Étape du Tour where the organization will have a stand in the village and be selling Heart Cyclists’ jerseys to fund an operation for at least one extra child.
Tour partners lining up alongside Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque
As each year, a certain number of loyal partners will be backing the organization: ANTARGAZ, CARREFOUR, LCL, PMU, ŠKODA and FRANCE TÉLÉVISIONS.
Partner commitment makes it possible for MCC to raise the necessary funds for carrying out operations on several dozens of children!
Since the organization’s aim is to operate on an increasing number of children, the support of new partners would help meet this need.
A heart stage on the Tour
Operation “Les coureurs du cœur©”© Jacky Naegelen for MCC
Since 2003, MCC has been organizing “L’Étape du Cœur©», in which a pack featuring some 20 celebrities rides it out over a time trial stage.
This year, these famous people will show their heart and wear the colors of the association on the 51 km of the individual time-trial stage between Bordeaux et Pauillac.
Partnership with the Tour de France has, over 6 years, made it possible to save almost 160 children.
For donations and information go to www.mecenat-cardiaque.org