Association founded in 2005

Founded in 2005, the association Tout le monde contre le cancer has set itself the mission of deploying actions in hospitals for people affected by cancer, their families, and the caregivers who look after them. Its goal is to provide moments of relaxation or well-being that offer a brief escape from the daily challenges of the disease.

Training program in a Paris hospital

With this objective in mind, the association intervened in the medical care and rehabilitation (SMR) child service at the Hôpitaux Paris Est Val-de-Marne, in Saint-Maurice (Val-de-Marne). There, it organized three sessions—two for caregivers and one for parents—of its training program "Même pas mal."

Sensory objects for distraction

Designed by the association's representatives and health professionals during seminars, the program is based on a simple concept: to prevent children from retaining traumatic memories of painful treatments, the best approach is to divert their attention. During the sessions, caregivers explored a range of sensory objects stored in a "box of tricks."

Collaboration with professionals

The objects include items like a glowing magic wand, reflective balls, a rain stick, night lights, and prickly balls. Céline, the project manager at the association, explains that the objects were created in collaboration with health professionals, who already use similar items to help children.

Magical massages for caregivers

The program then moves into a second phase: "magical massages." These were developed with the La Roche-Posay Foundation, a partner of the association, using the same idea of distracting the child. Each massage, named after an animal, such as "cat paws," is presented on a card that explains the gesture and includes a QR code for short stories by personalities.

Relaxation and exchange of ideas

For the caregivers participating in the training, trying these massages is a moment of relaxation and laughter. The sessions also offer a rare opportunity to exchange best practices, which is uncommon in their daily routines focused on caring for children.

Tools for caregivers and reflection

Health professionals find the training valuable for two reasons: they gain practical tools to use with children and they engage in meaningful discussions about a subject that is important in their daily work. Véronique, a socio-esthetician and massage practitioner, notes that the sessions help caregivers reflect on their practices.

Donations to hospitals

Each year, the association provides its hospital representatives with a form listing all its actions, allowing them to request interventions. In 2025, 35 hospitals asked for the "Même pas mal" program. The association also donates sensory objects and tools to hospitals, partly funded by the La Roche-Posay Foundation, to meet the needs of professionals and parents.