2023-12-08 08:00:00
NARRATIVE – In thirty-six years of existence, the television marathon devoted to rare genetic diseases has raised nearly 3 billion euros and financed decisive therapeutic advances. A success built on the anger of a handful of parents of myopathic children.
“These French people are pathetic! » At the beginning of December 1987, in Paris, comedian Jerry Lewis thundered as he returned to the hotel. Sponsor of an American telethon for twenty years, he has just left the set of his little French brother, who has just been born, the first of its kind in Europe. Despite the efforts of Antenne 2 hosts to bring this funny television fair to life, the donation pledge counter is not climbing. Bernard Barataud, then president of the French association against muscular dystrophy (AFM), went to the call center run by Lions Club volunteers. “The phones were flashing all over the place. The amount of promises only had difficulty reaching the TV set ! »he told in 2014 to Figaro.
The “lost people” dreamed of a few million francs, 50 at the most. Donations pledged will reach 181 million, and donations actually received nearly 195, or 30 million euros. An unexpected success which forces the organizers…
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