Telethon Raises Nearly €80 Million for Rare Disease Research

The 38th edition of the Telethon wrapped up early Sunday morning, amassing nearly €80 million in pledges to support research into rare genetic diseases. Organizers announced in a closing press release that the final tally for the fundraising marathon reached €79,801,520.

A Lifeline for Families Battling Rare Diseases

“The French people were incredibly generous,” said Laurence Tiennot-Herment, president of the French Association against Myopathies-Téléthon (AFM-Téléthon). “Almost €80 million is a remarkable figure, especially considering the current global context. It reflects how deeply French people care, and we are immensely grateful.”

For families facing rare diseases, the Telethon’s results offer a glimmer of hope. “Behind every euro raised,” Tiennot-Herment emphasized, “there are so many hopes for treatment for families grappling with these often debilitating and complex conditions.”

“It is only by participating in the Telethon that you truly grasp the immense effort that goes into achieving such an incredible amount,” added singer Mika, the event’s celebrity sponsor. Mika acknowledged the challenges of shifting the Telethon’s date due to Notre Dame’s reopening, noting, “It was not easy to change the date, but it was important to do so.”

He also stressed that donations are still welcome: “It’s not over yet! You can continue contributing online or by phone until Friday the 3rd, and of course, all year round on the telethon.fr website.”

A Pivotal Year for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Research

This year’s Telethon holds particular significance as a potential treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a previously incurable disease, could be on the horizon. DMD, which destroys muscles and affects one in 3,000 boys in France, is a cause deeply rooted in the Telethon’s history—it was the impetus behind the AFM’s creation in 1958.

“The needs in 2025 to finance an exceptional trial on this disease exceed €30 million,” Tiennot-Herment revealed, underscoring the importance of continued funding.

Nationwide Effort Raises Vital Funds

Millions across France participated in Telethon weekend. Thousands of fundraising events took place in cities across the nation, and France Télévisions broadcast 30 hours of live coverage.

Jeremy Scott of Robert Half

In addition to traditional donation methods like field collections, telephone pledges, and online contributions, innovative fundraising initiatives helped propel the Telethon to success. A gaming marathon and a raffle added to the weekend’s festive atmosphere and boosted the total contributions.

Mika reminded everyone that fundraising efforts continue for the remainder of the week: “Many actions are still scheduled for next week.”

Targeting Rare Diseases: A Global Imperative

The AFM-Téléthon allocated approximately €60 million to research and development of new therapies in 2023, highlighting its unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing need for treatment options for rare diseases. These conditions, by their very nature, often lack the attention and resources they deserve. A staggering 95% of rare diseases remain without treatment or even accurate diagnoses, underscoring the critical role of continued research funding.

“This collection will allow us to continue supporting 40 human clinical trials covering more than 30 different diseases,” Tiennot-Herment stated.

How much money was ​raised ⁢at the Telethon 2024?

##​ Telethon⁢ 2024‍ Sees ⁢Record Fundraising⁤ Success

**Interviewer:** Laurence, welcome. The Telethon has just wrapped ‍up and ⁤it seems the French people have once again shown incredible generosity.

**Laurence Tiennot-Herment:** Thank you for having me. ​It’s truly been a remarkable weekend. ⁣ We’re overwhelmed ‍with gratitude for the incredible support shown to⁤ the Telethon. Reaching nearly €80 million is testament⁤ to the compassion of ⁤the French people, especially during these challenging⁤ times. [ [1](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/telethon/direct-telethon-2024-suivez-la-soiree-speciale-de-france-televisions-et-l-appel-aux-dons-en-faveur-de-la-recherche-sur-les-maladies-rares_6926432.html) ]

⁣**Interviewer:** €80 million! ⁣That’s‍ a significant sum. What ⁢impact will this have on research into rare diseases?

‌ **Laurence ⁤Tiennot-Herment:**‌ Every euro raised represents hope for thousands of families ‍battling rare diseases.⁢ These⁢ funds will directly fuel vital‍ research⁤ into treatments‌ and cures for these ⁢often debilitating and complex⁣ conditions. [ [1](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/telethon/direct-telethon-2024-suivez-la-soiree-speciale-de-france-televisions-et-l-appel-aux-dons-en-faveur-de-la-recherche-sur-les-maladies-rares_6926432.html) ]

**Interviewer:** This year also marked a ⁢change in​ date for the Telethon due to‌ the Notre ‍Dame reopening.

**Mika:** Yes, ​shifting the date ⁢for the Telethon wasn’t easy, but it was incredibly important to⁣ accommodate the historic reopening of Notre Dame. We’re grateful to everyone for adapting with us. And the incredible result shows how committed everyone is to this ‍important cause.

**Interviewer:** Donations are ⁢still open, right?

**Mika:** Absolutely! People ⁣can continue ⁣to contribute online, by phone until Friday, or‌ anytime throughout the year​ on the telethon.fr website. Every⁢ donation makes a difference. ‍ [ [1](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/telethon/direct-telethon-2024-suivez-la-soiree-speciale-de-france-televisions-et-l-appel-aux-dons-en-faveur-de-la-recherche-sur-les-maladies-rares_6926432.html) ]

**Interviewer:** Thank you ⁣both​ for your time ‌and for everything you⁢ do for the Telethon.