Saintes: from health rugby to art therapy, the Rocs & Roses expand their range
A group of breast cancer patients in remission has formed an association. It is planning a trek to Senegal in October. Meanwhile, a rugby health section is being developed for men suffering from urological problems.
“Live for the best…” Johnny Halliday's song resonates with particular emotion this Friday, June 6, at the Geoffroy-Martel Theater in Saintes. Accompanied by the band Rock'n'Volt, the Rocs & Roses deliver a beautiful performance that day, under the banner of hope and defiance.
"It's a great pleasure to sing together and also a lot of work, but above all, it's sharing and joy," confide Patricia Viaud, Katy Velazco, and Mireille Désirat. "I find real support, a breath of fresh air with the group. When we get together, we don't talk about our illness; we really need each other's presence," adds Marianne Lepers-Poissonnier.
Florence Lonlas
The Rocs & Roses are breast cancer patients who, under the leadership of gynecological surgeon Dominique Cambon, have joined a rugby health team. The initiative was launched five years ago with the support of the City, the Saintes Hospital, and US Saintes Rugby.
Florence Lonlas
"This sport, in addition to providing physical improvement, particularly in arm mobility, develops solidarity, mutual aid, and cohesion, in a caring manner. This "supportive care" allows women to understand that a second life is possible. I am very proud of the feats they achieve. They are astonishing; they have truly created a close-knit group, like a second family," emphasizes Dr. Cambon.
Little by little, the team has expanded its range, with a new challenge each year. Art therapy allows you to express your creative potential and better understand self-awareness. Learning to sing helps you control your breathing and exercise your memory by learning the lyrics. Six months ago, due to funding issues, Rocs & Roses organized itself into an association, chaired by Dominique Cambon.
Call for donationsA new major project is taking shape. "It's truly therapeutic to be in a close-knit group. We need hope, a challenge, and in fact, we've been working on a trek in Senegal for a month and a half," explains Valérie Nisole. Eleven patients will set off from October 21st to 29th for a journey of 10 to 12 kilometers per day around Dakar to the Diourbel hospital. This will be an opportunity to meet and distribute equipment such as prostheses, wigs, underwear, and creams to Senegalese women.
A fundraising campaign has been launched online on Leetchi, "Le trek des Rocs & Roses" . Mayor Bruno Drapron and his wife Véronique Abelin-Drapron, who attended the event, announced their participation in the trip.
During the evening, a check for 5,000 euros was presented to the association by the Vestiaire Solidaire Saintes. The evening raised 300 euros in donations.
A male counterpart to Rocs & Roses is in the making. Dr. Cambon is training a new coach to open a rugby health session for men suffering from urological problems, in the wake of the Movember movement, the male cousin of Pink October.
