On Friday November 14, 2025, the Centre François Baclesse was delighted to receive a cheque for the exceptional sum of €24,605.80, presented as part of the 2025 edition of Septembre Turquoise in Bagnoles de l'Orne. This sum, the fruit of a remarkable collective effort, will be used to finance the acquisition of a machine to use cooling helmets in the day hospital, in order to offer this hair loss prevention technique to patients treated outside of any clinical research protocol.
Valuable equipment from a committed patient
The driving force behind this mobilization was Madame Armelle Lipka, a leading figure in Septembre Turquoise.
As part of her clinical research, Mrs Lipka was able to benefit from a connected cooling helmet, which is now being compared with conventional helmets as part of the ICELAND study being carried out at the Centre Baclesse. Moved by the effectiveness and comfort provided by this technique, she wanted to give other patients access to it outside the research protocol, by initiating a fund-raising campaign to finance a complete machine for the day hospital.
Thanks to the immense generosity of local associations, shopkeepers, service clubs and many private individuals, the entire amount needed was raised.
Donors mobilized around a single goal
Donations raised totalled €26,410, including €1,804.20 in organization costs, giving €24,605.80 to the Centre François-Baclesse.
Complete list of donors
- 5,825 € - Bagnoles Oxygène (organization of the Turquoise Walks)
- 4,485 € - Casino JOA (Gospel concert)
- 1,500 € - Lions Club
- 2,000 € - Rotary Club
- 400 € - Les Souliers de Jiji
- 100 € - Sylvie Coiffure
- 2,700 - The B'O Resort & CSE B'O, plus complimentary hotel rooms and cocktail reception
- 500 € - Lair Immobilier
- 780 € - Mains Créatives
- 500 € - Bagnoles Moteurs Classiques
- 500 € - Golf d'Andaines (Turquoise Competition)
- 60 € - Restaurant Ô Gayot, including a sale of camemberts for charity
- 7,060 € - Individual donations from €20 to €1,000
Exceptional logistical and human support
The organizers would like to extend their warmest thanks to all those who contributed to the success of this weekend of solidarity:
- Franck Quinton and Gillot Camemberts, present at the return of the steps
- Jocelyne Breton, for the gift baskets offered at the 300ᵉ registration.
- Les Cidres des Martellières - Thierry Boisgontier
- Les Biscuits de l'Abbaye - Linda Lebaudy
- Center Leclerc, for the buffet and refreshment water
- The owners of Gué-aux-Biches, for permission to allow the walk to pass through their property
- Laurent Le Goff, for the Turquoise Cup jar
- Crédit Mutuel, for printing posters and supplying cups
- Raphaël Flipo, Turquoise poster designer
- Isaïe and Mathilde, for the video report
- Anaïs Lacroix, for the photos
- Shopkeepers who took part in the Turquoise Window Competition
- And of course the Town Hall teams
Many thanks
The Centre François-Baclesse extends its warmest thanks to all donors, associations and volunteers for this exemplary collective effort.
Thanks to this show of solidarity, patients will be able to benefit from an innovative device that will help them live better with their treatment.
A concrete gesture, a remarkable mobilization, and a tremendous message of hope.
