ID :
187744
Fri, 06/10/2011 - 14:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/187744
The shortlink copeid
FRENCH COUPLE CYCLE AROUND THE WORLD FOR BLOOD DONATION CAMPAIGN
GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), June 10 (Bernama) -- A French couple is
cycling around the world to create awareness and promote blood donation in
conjuction with World Blood Donor Day on June 14.
Julien Leblay, 29, and Marion Dumas Cheilletz, 25, both from Auvergne in
France, started off their 20-month journey from their hometown on July 4 last
year and covered Europe, Asia and Oceania before they reached Malaysia in early
June.
Julien said he was inspired to undertake the mission following an action
that saved his life when he was 16 years old.
He said awareness among the people was crucial in order for a country to
have enough blood supply to meet demand during emergencies save lives.
"I am alive today because I received 20 pints of blood over two days
following an accident in 1997 where my vehicle fell down a cliff in France," he
told Bernama when met at the Penang General Hospital's blood bank here Friday.
He said after the incident, he had wanted to pay back to society by cycling
around the world and spread the message of blood donation.
"In France, a person given blood transfusion cannot become a donor. And
unfortunately, I can't be one. But I can take my story to far ends of the world
to inspire people to save lives by donating blood,” he said.
He also said that whenever people contacted them to offer donations, they
encouraged the donors to donate blood instead.
Julien, who has been a cycling traveller since 2004, said in total
he had covered no less than 29,000 kilometres on roads and tracks in 25
countries spanning three continents (Europe, Oceania and South America) and that
this was the first time he reached Malaysia.
"We are happy to be here as Malaysians are very friendly people," he said.
He added that they planned to reach Auckland (New Zealand) in September for
the Rugby World Cup and would be staying there for about six months to catch up
with some friends.
"There, we will have an extra 6,000 kilometres of riding before coming back
to France in March 2012," he said, adding that he was also planning to publish a
book on their journeys in France.
The two travellers are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Clermont-Ferrand
Aulnat District – 1740 France and supported by various wings of rotary club in
the cities they visit.
They also have a website with updated information of their experiences at
http://voyage-grand-coeur.org.
cycling around the world to create awareness and promote blood donation in
conjuction with World Blood Donor Day on June 14.
Julien Leblay, 29, and Marion Dumas Cheilletz, 25, both from Auvergne in
France, started off their 20-month journey from their hometown on July 4 last
year and covered Europe, Asia and Oceania before they reached Malaysia in early
June.
Julien said he was inspired to undertake the mission following an action
that saved his life when he was 16 years old.
He said awareness among the people was crucial in order for a country to
have enough blood supply to meet demand during emergencies save lives.
"I am alive today because I received 20 pints of blood over two days
following an accident in 1997 where my vehicle fell down a cliff in France," he
told Bernama when met at the Penang General Hospital's blood bank here Friday.
He said after the incident, he had wanted to pay back to society by cycling
around the world and spread the message of blood donation.
"In France, a person given blood transfusion cannot become a donor. And
unfortunately, I can't be one. But I can take my story to far ends of the world
to inspire people to save lives by donating blood,” he said.
He also said that whenever people contacted them to offer donations, they
encouraged the donors to donate blood instead.
Julien, who has been a cycling traveller since 2004, said in total
he had covered no less than 29,000 kilometres on roads and tracks in 25
countries spanning three continents (Europe, Oceania and South America) and that
this was the first time he reached Malaysia.
"We are happy to be here as Malaysians are very friendly people," he said.
He added that they planned to reach Auckland (New Zealand) in September for
the Rugby World Cup and would be staying there for about six months to catch up
with some friends.
"There, we will have an extra 6,000 kilometres of riding before coming back
to France in March 2012," he said, adding that he was also planning to publish a
book on their journeys in France.
The two travellers are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Clermont-Ferrand
Aulnat District – 1740 France and supported by various wings of rotary club in
the cities they visit.
They also have a website with updated information of their experiences at
http://voyage-grand-coeur.org.
