Focus on

On April 7, the 6th annual North Pole Marathon concluded. This extraordinary event took place in temperatures as low as -37°C and brought together 38 participants from 14 nations.

Through the sponsorship of SGS, 5 members from the Michel family “teamed up for the challenge” and ran this extreme race to support the “Vaincre la Mucoviscidose” Association, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a deadly genetic disease that destroys the lungs and generates severe respiratory and digestive disorders. No cure for Cystic Fibrosis has yet been found, but current research is making strong progress.

The family team ran on behalf of Marine, the 9 year old daughter of Renaud Michel, who is afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis. “To meet such a challenge with my family and “giving our breath’’ is the best way we know to help this community” said Jean Christophe Michel, team member and Marine’s uncle.

The dedicated team went beyond their limits in order to display the ‘’Vaincre le Mucoviscidose’’ flag at the Pole, to raise awareness and money for Cystic Fibrosis research.

Their painstaking year of training and meticulous preparation paid off and on race day they proved their resolve “on ice” by achieving fantastic rankings. The group came in first place overall as a team, and individually: Renaud, Marine’s father, was placed 2nd in 4:44; Hervé, came 5th in 5:35; Yvan, was 7th in 5:45; Jean Christophe, Thomas’s father, came in 8th place in 6:08 and Thomas came 14th in 7:03.

SGS Life Science Services, part of the SGS Group, dedicated to the advancement of medical science primarily through clinical research and quality control, was proud to sponsor this event. SGS heartily congratulates this extraordinary family, supports their fight against Cystic Fibrosis and shares the values of both the “Vaincre la Mucoviscidose” Association and the Michel family.

“Professional training, rigor for testing the material, team spirit and winning attitudes are the hallmarks of a successful race” concluded Florent Hédiard, Marketing Director, SGS Life Science Services – Clinical Research.

To learn more about

• ’Vaincre la Mucoviscidose’’ association
• The family challenge
• SGS
• The North Pole Marathon

Florent Hediard
173 rue de la Croix Nivert, 75015 Paris- France
Tel: +33 (0) 1 53 78 18 74
Fax: +33 (0)1 45 54 28 64
Email
www.sgs.com/lifescience

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognised as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 55,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.