“ABefore we went to people, today they come to us”. The observation of Marianne Pezeret, responsible for communication within the association, sums up the enthusiasm surrounding a small structure which has everything of a large one. And for good reason, 25 years ago the association Les enfants d’abord was born at the Dracénie Hospital Center.
With its fifteen volunteers, more than two decades later, including two years of health crisis, an evaluation is essential, as evidence: “In 1997, it was Dr. Anne-Marie Maillotte, former head of pediatrics, who created the association, says Dr. Sophie Salomez, president and pediatrician, currently head of the service. The goal was to raise funds to renovate the premises, but also to finance medical research.
Actions for the happiness of children
Today, donations are always welcome, but the shares have evolved… In number. Among them, the purchase of gifts for sick children in pediatrics: “We offer them for their birthday and when they have to undergo a painful gesture, it helps and gives pleasure, and besides, we love it”, Dr. Salomez smiled.
And the initiatives are many and are not limited to the little ones hospitalized within the service. Children suffering from chronic and long-lasting conditions also benefit from the events set up by the structure, as underlined by Cathy Boissinot, nurse in Maternal and Child Protection (PMI) and volunteer: “Once a year, an escape day takes place on the Luc circuit. It also brings together the associations created within the pediatric wards, hospitals of Marseille and Nice.”
“What drives us? The stars in their eyes…”
The possibility for children to take race car rides and forget, for a few hours, a daily life often marked by heavy and invasive treatments.
For several years, other events such as trips to Disney Land Paris, to Port Aventura in Spain, ski days, to the Alliance Riviera in Nice to discover sports disciplines in collaboration with the Premiers de Cordée association, have given us moments of happiness and joy to sick children and their families.
While some outdoor outings were able to be maintained during the pandemic period caused by Covid-19, other actions unfortunately did not take place, as Marianne Pezeret explains: “Christmas tree, gatherings etc. Since 2020 we have had to cancel everything!”.
But it’s not about giving up for this cheerful team of volunteers who can also count on the support of a former patient, now twenty.
Among the upcoming projects: organize a convivial moment around a galette des rois with the children and their parents, reschedule a trip, participate in workshops and various and varied activities… Many initiatives that require time and commitment.
And the question of motivation arises: “What motivates us? The smiles of children, the stars in their eyes…”, confides Marianne Pezeret, also responsible for communicating the establishment of the Hospital Center of Dracénie. “I remember little Nathan, during a trip to Paris, who asked me if he could call his mother… To tell her that he had seen the Eiffel Tower”.
Facebook page: Association Les Enfants d’abord.
All united for the well-being and happiness of the children
Supported by the town of Dracénoise, the Les enfants d’abord association receives donations throughout the year thanks to multiple actions of solidarity and generosity. The distribution, on the other hand, varies according to the needs of the service.
In addition to material gifts (toys, books, cuddly toys, etc.), the funds contribute to the purchase of comfort equipment, particularly in neonatology, in order to improve assistance to the child’s development.
Recently they have also been used for the Pediatric Reception Unit for Children in Danger (UAPED), created in March 2022. The structure installed on the ground floor of the hospital and unique in the Region, aims to take care of young victims of violence housekeeper .
Children no longer have to be questioned at the police station: “The funds made it possible to purchase equipment for the hearing room, to equip the reception area for families, to equip it with a refrigerator. We will also paint the corridor”explains Dr. Sophie Salomez.
“For everything related to childhood… We are here”, continues the communications manager for his part. The team of volunteers is made up of nursing staff, but also a safety manager or administrative officials, all united around the same cause: the well-being and happiness of the children.
A synergy that the pediatrician of the Dracénie Hospital Center underlines, with a certain emotion in her voice: “I haven’t been president of the association for a long time, but I wanted to say that I am very proud to work with such dedicated volunteers”concludes Dr. Salomez.
