Jean-Benoît Canis, 34 years old, has taken on a crazy challenge: to cycle the 1500 kilometers that separate Dunkerque and Nice. An effort to raise funds for research and raise awareness about psoriasis.
It’s just 6 PM when Jean-Benoît Canis finally reaches the end of his cycling journey at Place Garibaldi on August 10th. Departing from Dunkerque on July 31st, it took him only eleven days to travel the 1500 kilometers between the two cities. His goal: raise awareness about psoriasis and raise funds for research against this skin disease.
“It’s important to raise awareness against preconceived ideas,” explains Bénédicte Charles, president of the France Psoriasis association, which supports the cyclist in this challenge. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by red and raised patches in some cases.
In France, nearly two million people are affected. Jean Benoît Canis himself has been affected since he was 18. He recounts: “I developed two psoriatic spots after a car accident. I do a lot of sports, it helped me overcome it, to feel good in my mind and in my skin.“
Changing perceptions about the disease
The man from the north is welcomed by Richard Chemla, Deputy for Health to the Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi. “We are here to congratulate this achievement, this initiative against the disease. It’s interesting for the municipality to help and support such causes,” says Richard Chemla.
Jean Benoît Canis wants to change people’s perception of psoriasis. “I wanted to undertake this action to advance research on the disease. Currently, I feel that psoriasis is not well-known enough, almost taboo; people don’t talk about it,” argues the athlete.
The fundraising effort reached nearly 1500 euros. The entire amount will be donated to research, particularly for younger individuals affected, explains Jean-Benoît Canis with a wide smile. Proud to have completed his challenge, proud to have reached Nice.