Being the parent of a sick child often means becoming a carer on a daily basis. It is a vital commitment, but not without consequences. Fatigue, stress, anxiety and isolation: numerous studies show that the role of carer can have a significant impact on parents’ health and well-being.

The recent unanimous adoption of a bill aimed at protecting and supporting parents of children with cancer, a serious illness or a disability, reflects a growing awareness of this reality. After all, looking after carers is also a way of looking after the people they care for.

As part of the Jacques Martel Foundation’s mission, we firmly believe that caring for sick children also involves supporting their immediate family and friends.

That is why we support the work carried out by the LEA association, which offers families moments of relief and togetherness. These special moments help to strengthen family relationships, break the cycle of isolation, and reconnect with others as well as with oneself, far from the pressures of daily life and the demands of medical treatment.

Once again this year, the Jacques Martel Foundation helped organise two key events.

🎼 At the Nice Opera House, the young carers received a personalised welcome from the Head of the Youth Programme, to whom we extend our warmest thanks. A specially tailored tour, in a calm and reassuring environment, allowed them to explore behind the scenes at the venue and enjoy the performance of “Peter and the Wolf” in the best possible conditions.

🐬 Another event that has become a must-attend: the boat trip organised off the coast of Sanary-sur-Mer to spot cetaceans. Young and old alike were able to share a day out of the ordinary, surrounded by nature and the ocean, to recharge their batteries and find new energy, together.

Because a supported parent is a parent who is more available for their child, these moments of respite are a vital tool for maintaining the balance of families facing illness.

The Jacques Martel Foundation is proud to support LEA in this vital mission: to offer sick children and their loved ones moments of comfort, togetherness and hope.

Behind each of our missions — protecting the oceans, educating the youngest members of society, supporting sick children and their families, promoting sustainable food systems, and preserving our heritage — lies a single ambition: to protect and pass on the future by placing people at the heart of our commitments.

 

This was also an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms behind marine pollution and the issues associated with it.

To begin with, it is important to note that nearly 80% of the waste found in the sea originates on land and is carried there via rivers. Taking action on rivers therefore contributes directly to the preservation of the oceans.

It is important to realise that the large pieces of waste visible on riverbanks or along the coast are, in fact, only the tip of the iceberg, and every piece of waste collected before it reaches the sea helps to limit pollution, the effects of which accumulate over time.

Plastic, in particular, never completely disappears. Under the influence of the sun, wind and friction, it gradually breaks down into increasingly smaller particles; these are known as microplastics and then nanoplatics. Some become so fine that they can no longer be separated from the water. These nanoplastics are then ingested by many marine organisms that are unable to distinguish them from natural particles. This phenomenon fuels the processes of bioaccumulation and biomagnification: the particles and associated substances gradually move up the food chain, with increasingly high concentrations in the predators at the top of the chain.

These issues are particularly acute in the Mediterranean. Although it accounts for only around 1% of the world’s ocean surface area, it is home to nearly 10% of known marine biodiversity, including many endemic species such as Posidonia. With nearly 200 million people living along its shores, the pressures on this exceptional ecosystem are immense.

 

After an hour of collecting, the bags quickly filled up and the participants were able to see the extent of the pollution, which is not immediately obvious at first glance. Packaging, shards of glass, cigarette butts, tyres, fishing nets, garden hoses, all manner of containers… from the tiniest piece of plastic to much larger items, the variety of waste collected serves as a stark reminder of how much the natural environment remains exposed to human activity.

 

Protecting the oceans is at the heart of the Jacques Martel Foundation’s mission. Every awareness-raising and fundraising initiative helps to improve understanding of the issues surrounding marine pollution and to encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour.

A big thank you to the teams at Aromatech and CSIL for their commitment during this morning’s event, which was all about raising awareness and taking action.

 

An iconic species of the Mediterranean, Pinna nobilis, better known as the noble sea fan, plays a vital ecological role.

 

Buried in Posidonia seagrass beds, it helps to stabilise sediments, improve water quality through its filtering capacity, and create microhabitats used by numerous organisms (sponges, crustaceans, juvenile fish).

 

Unfortunately, since 2016, a parasite has caused episodes of mass mortality. The species was classified as critically endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) in 2019. Today, only a few so-called ‘refuge’ populations remain, notably in the Thau Lake. Scientific observations suggest that certain populations in the Thau Lake show increased tolerance to the parasite. The project aims to analyse the genome of these individuals in order to identify the genetic markers potentially associated with this resistance.

 

The project, proposed and led by the CSIL (Scientific Council of the Lérins Islands), aims to use this knowledge to identify resistant individuals through sequencing, and then to apply this information to a program for the conservation and reintroduction of resistant individuals into the Bay of Cannes. We are delighted to be able to support this project.

 

What is the state of the project today?

 

In total, biopsies have been taken from 200 individuals. The sequencing phase has been completed and the genetic analysis is currently being finalized. Further biopsies will be taken this summer to determine the extent to which a target population carries the gene or not.

 

In the spring, the teams will also focus on survey operations to map the most suitable sites for future transplants in the Bay of Cannes. Several criteria will be assessed, including currents, depth and human impact.

The translocation is planned for December. The team prefers cold water, in which pathogens are less active. The scientific monitoring phase of the reintroduced individuals will then begin.

 

We will be lucky enough to take part to these operations and will therefore be able to share these rare moments with you: seeing an endemic species gradually reclaim its place in its natural environment.

This statement, found on the website of the Marion la Main Tendue association, is in line with the values of the Jacques Martel Foundation.

The association’s mission is to prevent, take action against and combat bullying at school and among peers, which is a major obstacle to children’s development and success.

It is therefore with great enthusiasm and hope that the Jacques Martel Foundation announces its first partnership with the Marion la main tendue association, as part of its mission to support education, and more specifically with the aim of combating school dropout.

 

Successive surveys show the extent to which mental wellbeing among secondary school pupils has deteriorated in recent years.

▶️ The website santepubliquefrance.fr reports that more than half of secondary school pupils report symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, nervousness or irritability, which are signs of persistent ill-being.

▶️ 21% of them report feeling lonely, which is a factor in psychological vulnerability.

These are all warning signs that can lead to students dropping out of school.

Our recent meeting with the association convinced us of the harm caused by silence around these issues and how important it is to take action to support children and school staff.

The partnership that has just been signed focuses specifically on combating bullying and cyberbullying, two issues with serious consequences for both children and the adults around them.

This ambitious project, initiated by the Cannes Foundation as part of its CARA program, includes workshops and meetings designed to raise awareness among pupils and teaching staff in order to prevent bullying and school dropout. This systemic approach will benefit the entire educational community in Cannes’ primary and secondary schools.

By partnering with Marion la Main Tendue, the Jacques Martel Foundation reaffirms its belief that awareness, listening and commitment are essential levers for enabling every child to grow, learn and develop in a safer and more humane school environment.