When their 5-year-old son is diagnosed with acute leukemia, Laurent and his family lose ground. After dark months, this father decides to write a book bringing together the testimonies of other parents in the same situation. The goal? Raising public awareness of pediatric cancers, but above all, advancing research through profits.
- More than 2,800 children and adolescents declare cancer each year in France, according to the center for the fight against cancer Gustave Roussy, with around 500 of them dying from it.
- The number of childhood cancers has been increasing by 1 to 2% per year in Europe for the past 30 years.
- Research in pediatric oncology would need 20 million euros per year, according to the Federation Grandir Sans Cancer.
In February 2017, it was a shock for Laurent Lalo and his family. Melvil, the youngest son of 5 years is suffering from cancer: acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) type B at very high risk. “The announcement took place on February 16 but the results of blood tests arrived the day before, ironically on February 15, which is the international day for the fight against pediatric cancers!”
ALL: a cancer of the blood and bone marrow common in children
“It’s a club that strikes us down, it’s an anvil on our heads, the world is collapsing, our world is collapsingcontinues Laurent. A few seconds of dread and here we are already in the fight to support our son. He will stay 47 days in a sterile room before being able to leave the hospital for the first time, with a mask, gown and compulsory head cover.”
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common childhood cancer. This blood and bone marrow cancer originates in stem cells. Cancer cells gradually replace healthy blood cells. In the case of acute leukemia, the symptoms can get worse very quickly. Fever, fatigue, bruises, bleeding problems, pale skin, pain in the bones and joints… In a few days, even a few weeks, the body can no longer fight effectively against infections.
Childhood leukemia: “The first months are terrible”
Anna, Laurent’s wife was then forced to stop her professional activity as a high school teacher, because one of the two parents had to be available 24 hours a day for their son.
“The first few months are terrible, our moods are constantly changing and we feel misunderstood, especially by our loved ones. It’s a strange feeling to constantly feel out of step with what society “demands” of us. Eventually, we changed forever by living day to day, appreciating the little things in life, and choosing to be positive no matter what.”
After five “very long“years the family can finally talk about”healing” for Melville. “However, we measure our point because children unfortunately have many sequelae after cancer, including infertility for many boys. We savor one more battle won, but we remain on our guard with what we have called the “sneak”.”
“We don’t want anyone other than us to experience what we have experienced”
The fight of this father continues today on another stage. He published the book Regardspublished by Les plumes d’Ocriswhich brings together the testimonies of 34 other families whose child has been affected by pediatric cancer.
“The goal was twofold. On the one hand, to make as many people as possible aware of the cause of serious childhood illnesses that affect entire families, by saying that for each copy sold, around five people are affected. On the other hand, we wanted to challenge the politicians directly and I must say that we achieved our objectives because several deputies either quoted the book or showed the book in the hemicycle.”
Sold at 14 euros, all of the profits are also donated to research. “The financial aspect was secondary but still important to me because I never had the personal means to help our cause. I therefore used my skills as an author and am very proud to have participated in the sale of 3,850 copies. They made it possible to co-finance three research projects in pediatric oncology to the tune of €10,000 out of the €46,000 required, as well as a study on phthalates, via the Environnement Santé network.”
Blood cancer: 6 cases detected in three years in the same town of Oise
Like other families, Laurent Lalo also wants public health authorities to take note of the environmental factors in the appearance of cancer. “France does not work on the causes. The answer is only medicinal, therapeutic. No tests have been carried out on our child, no environmental cause has been studied. “It’s inevitable” tell us the doctors, while numerous studies demonstrate the toxicity of a whole host of environmental factors.”
In his former city of residence, in Bresle in the Oise, five other cases of leukemia (one child and four adults) were detected in the space of three years. “When we enter the ARS, we are the ones who have to provide the elements. All those who have started research have broken their teeth in the face of the omerta that reigns in France”, he laments.
Advertising
