Téléthon 2025: A National Wave of Hope to Fund Life‑Changing Genetic Research

Téléthon 2025: France Unites for Medical Progress

Every year, the French Téléthon transforms compassion into scientific progress. The 39th edition, starting Friday, December 5, 2025, aims to surpass last year’s record of €96.5 million to accelerate genetic research and make life‑saving treatments more widely available.

Under the sponsorship of French singer Santa, this year’s event focuses on one urgent goal: giving families living with rare genetic diseases real hope through gene therapy.

Medical Breakthroughs Changing Lives

The AFM‑Téléthon has funded decades of pioneering research, and today, its impact can be measured in lives transformed.

Noé, a four‑year‑old boy diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at just 15 months, is one of these success stories. Thanks to a gene therapy developed by Généthon, one of the Téléthon’s research centers, Noé’s disease progression has been halted.

Since September 2025, newborn screening for SMA has become standard across France.
More than 5,000 children worldwide have already received this treatment.

However, 95% of rare diseases remain without a cure. Families like Paulin’s, a seven‑year‑old living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, are still waiting. Yet there is hope: ongoing gene therapy trials by Généthon have shown promising results, stabilizing motor functions in children for up to two years.

The Challenge Ahead: 95% of Rare Diseases Still Untreated

Despite major victories, most of the 7,000 known rare diseases still lack effective treatments. The AFM‑Téléthon currently supports 40 clinical trials in development or underway, covering 33 different diseases—affecting the blood, vision, immune system, liver, and muscles.

Interestingly, this research also benefits more common illnesses such as:

Certain cancers
Macular degeneration (DMLA)
Heart failure

As Santa explains:

“Developing a new therapy can cost tens of millions of euros. The money exists—it just needs to go where it can truly change lives.”

A National Movement of Solidarity

The Téléthon is far more than a television marathon—it’s a nationwide celebration of solidarity. Over 280,000 volunteers will host 22,000 local events across France to raise funds and awareness. From concerts and charity runs to village festivities, every euro collected fuels world‑class research.

Across 30 hours of live programming on France Télévisions, viewers will hear from families, researchers, and artists who share the same message: don’t stop now. The record to beat? The legendary 2006 total of €106.7 million.

How You Can Help

Even from abroad, anyone can participate:

Donate online via the official Téléthon website
Watch and share the televised events on France Télévisions
Host your own fundraiser or community challenge to support genetic research

Every contribution brings researchers one step closer to new breakthroughs and gives families hope for the future.

In summary

Téléthon 2025 stands as a symbol of unity, perseverance, and scientific excellence. Each contribution fuels the vision of a world where no rare disease remains without a cure — a future France is helping to build, one donation at a time.