In observance of Turquoise September, Gynecologic Cancers Awareness Month, the Baclesse Center continues its commitment to raising awareness about these cancers and their symptoms, as well as to promoting women’s access to preventive care, gynecologic follow-up, and expert medical care.
Once again this year, this effort took shape both locally, in Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, and nationally, through the Collectif Turquoise, of which the Baclesse Center is a member.
In Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, a movement that continues to grow
From September 11 to 13, Bagnoles-de-l’Orne was once again decked out in turquoise for three days of awareness-raising and solidarity focused on women’s health and gynecological cancers. A conference, awareness-raising activities, a charity concert, and walks drew an ever-growing audience: about sixty people attended the conference titled “Ladies, Take Care of Your Health!”; on Saturday evening, more than 200 people filled the hall at the Casino JOA in Bagnoles-de-l’Orne for the charity concert, with proceeds going to the Baclesse Center; and on Sunday, more than 600 participants signed up for the various walks—a record for this third edition. Registration fees for the walks were also donated to the Baclesse Center.
This initiative builds on the momentum started by Armelle Lipka, who was diagnosed with gynecological cancer and succeeded in rallying residents, elected officials, business owners, organizations, and healthcare professionals around her cause. To carry on her work, the Bagnoles Turquoise association was founded in 2025, with Virginie Dreux-Cousin—who also serves as deputy mayor of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, Normandy—as its president. Armelle has since passed away, but her fight continues to live on and grow.
In addition to organizing the “Septembre Turquoise” weekend, the organization works more broadly to promote women’s health and improve access to gynecological care in the region.
From Bagnoles-de-l’Orne to a National Mobilization
A few days later, on September 15, the Turquoise Collective met at the Association of Mayors of France to continue its efforts to improve women’s health.
On this occasion, Aurore Bergé, Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, presented a Collectif Turquoise Medal of Honor to the Bagnoles Turquoise association, represented by its president, Virginie Dreux-Cousin. Professor Roman Rouzier, executive director of the François Baclesse Center and a supporter of this initiative from the very beginning, was involved in this recognition and stood alongside her.
An award conceived as a “passing of the torch, ” in honor of Armelle Lipka and all those who continue her legacy today.
As a member of the Turquoise Collective, the Baclesse Center shares its mission: to provide better information about gynecological cancers, promote awareness of symptoms that can sometimes be nonspecific, improve prevention and patient care coordination, and combat regional disparities in access to care.
To take concrete steps to improve access to healthcare in the region
In Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, this initiative will now take the form of a very concrete action. The Baclesse Center will join forces with other healthcare professionals to set up gynecological clinics at the Regional Health Center, which has been made available by the Orne Department.
Several times a year, gynecologists from the Center will travel to Bagnoles-de-l’Orne to assist with these preventive care and follow-up appointments, bringing services closer to where the women live. To support these efforts, the François Baclesse Center will also provide an ultrasound machine.
This initiative addresses one of the issues championed by both Bagnoles Turquoise and the Turquoise Collective: reducing regional disparities in access to preventive care and treatment, and making it easier for women to receive gynecological care.
From raising awareness to ensuring access to care, from Bagnoles-de-l’Orne to a nationwide movement, the commitment remains the same: to improve women’s health and bring gynecological cancers out of the shadows.
