In the fight against childhood cancer, each victory brings hope to families affected by this terrible illness. This is the story of Clara. In 2019, this young warrior was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. After nine surgeries and over 200 days of hospitalization, she is now in remission.
Her father, Vincent, shares their emotional journey, and his testimony serves as a call to action to support research on pediatric cancers. As the year draws to a close, let’s support the thousands of families battling this scourge and make the word “cure” their future.
A Difficult Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma
It all began in September 2019, when Clara, Vincent’s second daughter, then 17, started feeling unusual pain in her back. After several exams, the diagnosis came: Clara had high-grade osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive bone cancer. “There were a total of nine surgeries, over 200 days in the hospital, and incredibly heavy treatments,” Vincent confides.
Osteosarcomas are very complex cancers to treat in children, and Clara faced several complications: aspergillosis, meningitis… Yet, despite the challenges, Clara maintained a fighting spirit, supported by her family and a dedicated medical team.
A Challenging but Victorious Medical Journey Against Cancer
Clara went through an extensive course of treatment: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgeries… Each step was a grueling battle for her and her loved ones. “After an initial emergency operation, relapses kept coming. In June 2020, Clara entered the protocol at the Curie Institute to treat her osteosarcoma. The road was long, full of obstacles and doubts, but Clara never gave up,” Vincent recounts.
Today, Clara is in remission and continues rebuilding her life. She has resumed her studies and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University. Although she lives with lasting effects, including the loss of half a lung, Clara looks to the future with determination. “She is an example of resilience and a will to live. Her doctors often say that Clara has pushed the boundaries of what we know in medicine,” Vincent says with pride.
A Call to Support Childhood Cancer Research
This testimony goes beyond sharing Clara’s journey; it also calls for action. Vincent and his family had been involved in the fight against pediatric cancers even before Clara fell ill. In 2016, after the tragic loss of Marie, the daughter of his best friend, they founded the association Marie Notre Étoile in partnership with Imagine for Margo to raise funds and support research. To date, they have raised more than one million euros, all donated to Imagine for Margo. The goal: to advance research on childhood cancers.
“I’m convinced it’s our generation that will make sure there’s a world tomorrow with no children suffering from cancer,” Vincent explains. Thanks to the work of associations and the generosity of donors, research is progressing, but much work remains. Treatments currently available for children are often adapted from adult protocols, leading to severe side effects. Supporting research means enabling the development of more effective and less toxic therapies for children.
Why Donate? A Gesture to Save Lives
Each year, around 2,500 children in France are diagnosed with cancer, and 20% of them do not survive. But behind these statistics are stories like Clara’s, stories of courage and resilience. Your donations to Imagine for Margo help fund research so that, one day, all children have a chance to be cured.
Together, we can give hope to sick children. Donate so that the word “cure” can become their reality.
