{"id":323055,"date":"2025-11-04T16:26:34","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T14:26:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/2025\/11\/gemluc-50-years-of-fighting-cancer-in-monaco\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T17:43:51","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T15:43:51","slug":"gemluc-50-years-of-fighting-cancer-in-monaco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monaco-tribune.com\/en\/2025\/11\/gemluc-50-years-of-fighting-cancer-in-monaco\/","title":{"rendered":"GEMLUC: 50 years of fighting cancer in Monaco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Founded in 1973, Monaco\u2019s oldest cancer-fighting charity combines philanthropic tradition and medical innovation, driven by a remarkable legacy and renewed international ambitions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the premises of the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM \u2013 Monaco Scientific Centre), Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych listened attentively to Dr Vincent Picco, Head of Research and head of the cancer research unit at the CSM. GEMLUC has just financed two PhD research projects<\/a> focused on improving treatments for aggressive brain tumours. With this latest investment of \u20ac340,000 covering the period 2023\u20132027\u2014bringing total financial support for the CSM to over \u20ac1 million since 2016\u2014the charity continues its long philanthropic tradition in the Principality. \u201cFounded in 1973 with the support of Princess Grace, GEMLUC is the oldest charity fighting cancer in Monaco,\u201d<\/em> explained its current Chairman, Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych, a chartered accountant who has headed the organisation for several decades.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Fran\u00e7ois-Jean
Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych (back left) attended the presentation of doctoral research work at the CSM on Monday 13 October<\/em> \u00a9 St\u00e9phane Danna \u2013 Communication Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Such longevity is no accident, as the charity continues to enjoy the support of the Princely Family. Since Princess Grace\u2019s death in 1982, her daughter Princess Caroline of Hanover has carried on the commitment as Honorary President. \u201cShe has always supported us in an extraordinary way<\/em>,\u201d Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych said, adding with emotion, \u201cEven when the charity experiences ups and downs, she is always by our side<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The legacy of Princess Grace<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Among Monaco\u2019s charitable organisations, GEMLUC stands apart. \u201cEvery single donation is passed on<\/em>,\u201d its Chairman insisted. Not a cent goes to overheads, which are entirely covered by board members. \u201cWe are all volunteers\u2014that\u2019s our trademark<\/em>.\u201d The transparency appeals to donors in Monaco, who are used to many calls for support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The charity\u2019s vice-president, Dr Beno\u00eet Paulmier, ensures that all funded projects are approved by a scientific committee, once again guaranteeing that every euro translates into tangible results.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"At
At the Princess Grace Hospital Centre in 2019, Princess Caroline attended a demonstration of a radiofrequency generator for treating pancreatic tumours, funded with \u20ac55,000 by GEMLUC<\/em> \u00a9 Communication Department \/ St\u00e9phane Danna<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The financial rigour also convinced Richard Pollock, a British architect based in Monaco, to leave \u20ac4.5 million to the charity upon his death on 15 January 2015. His bequest made it possible to create the Fondation GEMLUC-Pollock, securing the charity\u2019s future with a reserve fund. Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych expressed his pride: \u201cDespite my respectable age, I can assure you that in twenty years, GEMLUC will still be here.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concrete action against the disease<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the CHPG, some of the equipment funded by the charity has made a real difference. About ten years ago, the gastroenterology department led by Dr Patrick Rampal\u2014former president of the CSM\u2014received a confocal microscope. \u201cNobody wanted to pay for one<\/em>,\u201d Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych recalled. \u201cWe did, and you know what? Today, the whole world comes here to train<\/em>.\u201d It’s a justifiable source of pride for an investment that helped place Monaco more firmly on the map of medical innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the charity does not rest on its laurels. Its latest investment at the CSM is resolutely future-oriented, supporting the next generation of researchers. The aim of the two PhD projects funded is to make cancer cells more sensitive to radiotherapy\u2014a breakthrough that could revolutionise treatment. \u201cToday, almost every family is affected by cancer. That wasn\u2019t the case when I started in 1978<\/em>,\u201d the chairman of GEMLUC\u2019s board recalled.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The
The OncoSafety software gives nursing teams an additional safeguard in administering chemotherapy<\/em> \u00a9 Manuel Vitali \/ Communication Department<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

People at the heart of the mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Behind the figures and advanced technology are human stories\u2014those of patients unable to afford a \u20ac1,500 genetic sequencing test that could personalise their treatment, making chemotherapy or immunotherapy more targeted and effective. Since 2024, GEMLUC has partially financed genetic testing prescribed at the CHPG to tailor cancer treatments. \u201cWe\u2019re providing \u20ac100,000 to expand access to these analyses, reducing their cost to around \u20ac1,000<\/em>,\u201d Fran\u00e7ois-Jean Brych explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cerebral cancers: two promising research projects at Centre Scientifique de Monaco supported by GEMLUC<\/a><\/blockquote>