Gustavia schoolchildren run against leukodystrophies

Hair sticking to his forehead with sweat, a little boy speeds up to start his second lap around the block. Like all his classmates from the Gustavia school group, he is taking part on Friday October 18 in the "Mets tes baskets et bats la maladie" event organized in partnership with the Ela association. This organization fights against leukodystrophies, genetic diseases that destroy the myelin (nerve sheath) of the nervous system.
So, throughout the morning, the children ran and walked in joy and shouting (and sometimes crying too) with their parents and teachers. "One billion steps is as many stars shining in the eyes of sick children", writes the Ela association on its website.
The school group's aim in taking part in the national event was also to raise donations for leukodystrophy research. The "Mets tes baskets et bats la maladie" campaign, approved by the French Ministry of Education and Youth, raises young people's awareness of solidarity, citizenship, disability and respect for differences.