April 11 is World Parkinson's Day , the birthday of the doctor who discovered the symptoms, James Parkinson. The objective of this event is to inform patients and give them a message of hope, but also to raise public awareness of the Parkinsonian Syndrome.
Bertrand's passion for sailing was born while sailing in Brittany, numerous regattas and life aboard his Muscadet for two years. Bertrand Delhom was very involved in the world of sailing in Finistère. Then, in May 2021 the diagnosis fell: Parkinson, a neurodegenerative disease, currently incurable. An uppercut. He had to digest the news, find how to move forward. The idea of a new project was born. He contacted the organizers of the OGR who put him in touch with the French teams involved in the race. Skipper Tanneguy Raffray says YES! Bernard can now join a round the world racing crew!
"It is a nautical and human adventure of several months which can bring a message of hope for the 7 million Parkinson's patients in the world, including 200,000 in France" Said Delhom. "Sharing this experience can support carers, caregivers and researchers. We will be supported by the Rennes neuroscience center, the Brest branch and the Kerpape business incubator specializing in adaptation to disabilities. It is also a message to all the new "Parkinsonians", who are too numerous and increasingly young. 'Who dares who lives'. Like the motto of Neptune."
Fascinated by the sea since childhood, the Whitbread has always had a special attraction for Dr. Tan Raffray. In February 2022, he took the famous Neptune, a French 60-foot competitor to the 1977 Whitbread , out of semi-Caribbean retirement and sailing her across the Atlantic for the first edition of the 2023 Ocean Globe Race, and dedicated her race to fight against neurodegenerative diseases!
"I have been divided since adolescence between maritime and medical vocations and more strongly affected by my entourage by Parkinson's disease. When Bertrand asked me to join the crew of NEPTUNE as a full-fledged teammate in this race around the world by the 3 capes, we have enthusiastically decided to integrate it, and to dedicate our race to the fight against neurodegenerative diseases ," said Tanneguy Raffay.
Prof. Dame Pamela Shaw, neurologist and Director of the University of Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), said: "We are delighted to be associated with the Ocean Globe Race 2023 and extend our best wishes to the teams involved, including Mr. Delhom. SITraN is a world-leading research institute dedicated to improving the lives of people suffering from Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease and Alzheimer's," and added, " It's wonderful that these challenging races are a beacon of hope for individuals and families suffering from devastating neurodegenerative diseases. It's such a worthy cause to support. "
Red tulips are the symbol of the fight against Parkinson's disease. On the occasion of the world day against this disease, April 11, our OGR social networks will display a red tulip. We invite our followers to do the same to salute the commitment of the crew of the Neptune, raise awareness and help science to advance so that one day, this insidious disease may be relegated to the rank of "bad flu" as Bertrand Delhom hopefully puts it.