{"id":31354,"date":"2026-07-01T11:57:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T09:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/?post_type=news&p=31354"},"modified":"2026-07-01T12:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T10:53:44","slug":"2026-ela-ambassador-award","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
\n
\n

On Wednesday 3 June, more than 160 pupils and their accompanying adults travelled from all over France to attend the 2026 ELA Ambassador Award ceremony at the Cit\u00e9 des Sciences et de l\u2019Industrie in Paris. This national ceremony, the third high point of the \u201cWear your trainers and beat disease\u201d campaign, rewards students who have shown solidarity in the fight against leukodystrophies and celebrates their commitment.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Youth still mobilised for ELA<\/h3>\n

Our patron, Sandrine Qu\u00e9tier, who has been a loyal host of the ceremony, opened the celebrations by highlighting the figures for the school community\u2019s participation in this latest edition: 583,000 pupils and 3,260 schools have worn their trainers for ELA since the start of the school year!<\/p>\n

Our President, Crystelle Cottart, highlighted the young people\u2019s unwavering support in advancing the fight against leukodystrophies. \u201cYou give us such tremendous energy!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Guy Alba, founder of ELA, shared his memories of how \u201cMets tes baskets\u201d began 34 years ago at a high school in Nancy, right up to the festive event that brings thousands of schools to life every year. \u201cI have a great respect, admiration and gratitude for the world of education, which is characterised by such solidarity and kindness. [\u2026] Without you, ELA would have ceased to exist long ago!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

Sharing stories, expressing gratitude and continuing the fight<\/h3>\n

Sofi\u00e8ne, a teenager living with Alexander\u2019s leukodystrophy, then spoke about the impact the condition has on his daily life. He concluded by delivering a powerful message to the ambassadors present: \u201cYour commitment gives us strength and hope, and makes us feel less alone. Thank you for running for those who can no longer do so!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \"Sofi\u00e8ne\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Crystelle Cottart outlined how ELA provides practical support to families: a supportive presence, a listening ear, moral and psychological support, and administrative and financial assistance. Guy Alba reported on promising advances in research into the leukodystrophy from which Sofi\u00e8ne suffers, thanks to the support ELA has provided to researchers.<\/p>\n

He also discussed the families\u2019 other campaign \u2013 for newborn screening \u2013 through the story of Hugo and Arthur. These two brothers, both affected by the same condition, have nevertheless led radically different lives: the younger brother was diagnosed in time and treated, whereas his elder brother was not. To ensure this never happens again, ELA has submitted a proposal to the French National Health Authority (HAS) to have two forms of leukodystrophy included in the national newborn screening programme. Every day gained before symptoms appear changes a child\u2019s fate \u2013 and that of their family!<\/p>\n

Following the broadcast of a report on a \u201cMets tes baskets\u201d run organised at a middle school, Sandrine Qu\u00e9tier handed over to J\u00e9r\u00f4me Bagard, a technology teacher who has been working alongside ELA for 16 years. \u201cWhen we promote the values of commitment and solidarity, our headteachers support us and give us the resources we need to carry out this project.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n \"J\u00e9r\u00f4me\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Enzo, Jade and Chlo\u00e9, three 2026 ELA ambassadors, played the part of journalists to interview our patrons who are working alongside us: Micha\u00ebl Gregorio, Sophie Thalmann, Caroline Bourg and R\u00e9my Riou. It was an opportunity to review their commitment to supporting families and schools.<\/p>\n

Finally, Crystelle Cottart unveiled the theme of the next \u201cMets tes baskets\u201d campaign: \u201cWe\u2019re all superheroes!\u201d She also revealed the name of the author of the ELA 2026 dictation: Laurent Mauvignier, winner of the 2025 Prix Goncourt.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \n\n \"Micha\u00ebl\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n \"Enzo,\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Let the music begin!<\/h3>\n

Charles Dor\u00e9, a semi-finalist on Star Academy in 2024 and ELA\u2019s newest patron, shared his very personal story about leukodystrophies, before performing \u201cFamille ou pas famille\u201d. He then handed over to Lyna Mahyem, also a new patron. She spoke about joining the ELA family following her first Dictation last October. She set the stage alight with her song \u201cDemain\u201d! Finally, all the sponsors gathered on stage for the ambassadors\u2019 graduation ceremony, which was captured in a souvenir photo!<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\n
\n\n
\n \n\n \"Lyna\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n \"Charles\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n \"Sponsors\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n\n \"2026\n\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

Thank you, everyone!<\/h3>\n

ELA would like to extend its warmest thanks to all the schools that join forces with it every year for the \u201cWear your trainers and beat disease\u201d campaign, as well as to the sponsors present at the ceremony: Shemss Audat, Aur\u00e9lie Barg\u00e8me, Caroline Bourg, Pauline Bression, Henri Bungert, Charles Dor\u00e9, Micha\u00ebl Gregorio, Caroline Lopez, Tristan Lucas, Romain Magellan, Lyna Mahyem, Ella Philippe, Gr\u00e9gory Questel, Sandrine Qu\u00e9tier, R\u00e9my Riou and Sophie Thalmann.<\/p>\n

We very much look forward to seeing you again next year!<\/h3>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":31161,"parent":0,"template":"","news_categories":[114],"class_list":["post-31354","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news_categories-event"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"European Leukodystrophies Association\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ELAOfficielle\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-01T10:53:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ELAOfficielle\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/\",\"name\":\"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-01T09:57:04+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-01T10:53:44+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg\",\"width\":1440,\"height\":626},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Accueil\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/\",\"name\":\"European Leukodystrophies Association\",\"description\":\"Association ELA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association","og_url":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/","og_site_name":"European Leukodystrophies Association","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ELAOfficielle","article_modified_time":"2026-07-01T10:53:44+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@ELAOfficielle","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/","url":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/","name":"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment - European Leukodystrophies Association","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg","datePublished":"2026-07-01T09:57:04+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-01T10:53:44+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Header-PA-2026.jpg","width":1440,"height":626},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/actualites\/2026-ela-ambassador-award\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Accueil","item":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"2026 ELA Ambassador Award: a ceremony celebrating commitment"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/","name":"European Leukodystrophies Association","description":"Association ELA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/31354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/31161"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news_categories","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ela-asso.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_categories?post=31354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}