Summary

Corks to fund the battle against cancer

France Cancer is a national association involved in collecting corks to sell to a recycling company to raise funds for cancer research. Antibes Juan-les-Pins has a local branch headed by Marcelle Ribes.

Infosville: What role do you play?

Marcelle Ribes: The Antibes France Cancer branch has operated for five years and I am the delegate. I coordinate all the events in our association, in particular the collection of corks. We collect from individuals as well as having collection jars in the entrances to shopping centres. A volunteer lorry driver takes our bags of corks free to the recycling company. They pay 200 euros per tonne of corks. A tonne is equivalent to 250,000 corks!

Infosville: Where do the funds go to?

Marcelle Ribes: For the last five years they have gone to the CNRS and INSERM research institutes who have received more than 30,000 euros. They keep us up to date on all the latest discoveries in cancer research. Individuals also make donations and we regularly organise fund-raising events.

Infosville: What are the immediate needs of your association?

Marcelle Ribes: We urgently need volunteers. We need people to collect, sort and pack corks.

A few hours a week is enough. Giving your time for others is magic and very satisfying. Despite great advances in medicine, we mu