A demonstration took place in La Rochelle on Saturday, September 19, 2026, organized by the Avenir santé environnement (ASE) association. The event, known as the La Rochelle Appeal, aimed to raise awareness about the high rate of pediatric cancers in the region and called for a shift toward more sustainable agriculture and the elimination of synthetic pesticides. Around 500 people attended the march, which was held in memory of Pauline, a young girl who passed away from leukemia in 2019. ASE was founded in 2018 after her death, and her mother, Nathalie Brion, participates in the annual event by carrying a tribute banner. The area affected by the health concerns includes Saint-Rogatien, a small town near La Rochelle. Between 2008 and 2018, six children and adolescents in this area were diagnosed with cancer, prompting the Poitiers University Hospital Center to alert the Regional Health Agency. Saint-Rogatien and surrounding areas lie in the Aunis plain, a region known for intensive cereal farming and a history of environmental pollution. In 2021, high levels of prosulfocarbe, a type of herbicide, were detected in the air near Montroy. In 2023, several potable water sources were temporarily closed due to contamination from a fungicide. Franck Rinchet-Girollet, a spokesperson for ASE, noted that while a direct link between pesticides and pediatric cancers has not been scientifically proven in the region, a shift in agricultural practices is urgently needed. He emphasized that the association supports farmers but is concerned about the potential risks of agricultural chemicals. A 2024 study funded by ASE, titled "Our children exposed to toxins," examined 72 children aged 3 to 17 in the La Rochelle area. The study found 14 different chemical molecules in their urine and 45 in their hair, raising concerns about widespread environmental contamination. Emmanuelle Balliau, co-president of ASE and mother of one of the study participants, expressed alarm at the extent of pollution exposure. In March 2025, a study by the Poitou-Charentes General Cancer Registry confirmed a higher than expected rate of pediatric cancers, especially in Saint-Rogatien, where seven cases were observed compared to an expected 1.8. In response, the Charente-Maritime prefecture launched Exposcan, a novel initiative involving environmental sampling, mapping, and academic research to investigate possible causes of the cancer cluster. Nathalie Brion expressed hope for the results of this project but stressed the importance of continued advocacy to address the issue.