2014 participants: an unprecedented mobilization of researchers and companies to fight leukodystrophies at the LIEGE science park Jogging, in aid of ELA

Another record-breaking year for the Entreprises-ULiège jogging event at the LIEGE science park, organized in aid of medical research into leukodystrophies. More than 2,000 joggers and walkers gathered in Liège's science park on Friday June 2, for the 17th edition of this jog organized by the ULiège-RISE service, formerly Interface Entreprises-ULiège.

The Jogging Entreprises-Université du LIEGE science park is a solidarity action in aid of the ELA Belgium association and the fight against the disease, a moment of conviviality between companies and research laboratories, and an original route for athletes and non-athletes, walkers and joggers, to discover the companies and research centers of the science park.
For the 17th year running, the University of Liège's RISE department and the ELA Belgique association have invited members of companies, research centers, administrations and researchers from the University of Liège, the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liège (CHU) and La Citadelle to put on their sneakers on June 2 from 12pm to 2pm, in the fight against leukodystrophies.
This year, 437 researchers, 1,577 members of companies and research centers and their supporters will be taking part, bringing the total number of participants to 2014. This represents a 25% increase in the number of participants compared with 2022, and over €48,000 in donations raised for ELA. Never before seen!

" Every year, the Jogging du LIEGE science park is the highlight that unites the science park community and its university around shared values. We owe its growing success to the involvement of volunteers who give their time and skills for the benefit of the community. It's a momentum that makes us proud to contribute to this dynamic!", Fabienne Hocquet, Event Coordinator, Head of Animation and Relations with Businesses and Society, ULiège-RISE.

An action of solidarity

The Jogging Entreprises-Université du LIEGE science park is first and foremost a solidarity action in aid of the ELA association and the fight against the disease.
Leukodystrophies are degenerative brain diseases. Incurable, they destroy the nerve sheaths of the central nervous system and thus, little by little, all vital functions. Every week in Europe, between 20 and 40 children are born with this disease.
All proceeds from this operation are donated to the E.L.A Belgique association. In 2022, the event raised €37,659 in donations. Since its creation, the total amount of donations has reached €293,292, enabling ELA to fund research and support families (care and medication; equipment and adaptation of living space to patients' reduced mobility; family assistance).
For the organization of this jogging event, ELA can count on a large number of volunteers:
at the University of Liège, but also in companies in the park such as Level IT, Greisch, Cilyx, iol Strategic Design, as well as in the 21 companies that open their doors to welcome joggers along the route.

An original course, a constantly evolving concept

For its organizers, the jog is much more than an act of solidarity, with each edition bringing its share of novelties.
Initially conceived to stimulate encounters between researchers and companies, this event is, for its organizers, an essential moment of conviviality. It is also an opportunity to take a fresh look at the exceptional environment of the science park, at the heart of which are the jewels of innovation and technology.
Over the years, this annual event has helped to develop a sense of belonging to the LIEGE science park, which is at the origin of federative projects between companies and the University. Numerous initiatives contributing to the quality of life in the park, the development of companies and innovative projects have seen the light of day over the last 10 years, and particularly since the creation of the LIEGE science park's company committee in 2016, a project coordinated by ULiège-RISE with the involvement of volunteers from the park's companies.
It was in 2016, with the impetus of this new committee, that the course evolved into a "Company trail" concept. Today, 21 companies in the LIEGE science park, including the university, open their doors to joggers and walkers. The opportunity to visit the facilities of these establishments has led to a real leap in registrations, a strengthening of links with ULiège and, above all, the support of a greater number of organizations and their teams for this solidarity action.
In 2020 and 2021, despite the cancellation of the face-to-face event, the team proposed a remote alternative, to maintain the momentum and enable those who wished to continue to support the association.
In 2022, the organizing team innovated once again with a course marked out with "stop or go" signs: on D-day, at each marker, the teams had to agree whether or not to extend their run, depending on their ability and willingness to discover other activities prepared by the park's companies. The return of the face-to-face event is a success.
This year, illness is back at the heart of this sporting, charity and solidarity event. Indeed, the organizers decided to offer some leukodystrophy patients the chance to discover the course in "joëllettes", all-terrain wheelchairs carried by teams of motivated joggers. On Friday, 4 ELA patients took part in the race, meeting the people who have supported them since the 1st edition of this event 17 years ago.

To find out more about the ELA Belgium association: https://ela-asso.be
To find out more about the LIEGE science park corporate committee: https://www.liegesciencepark.net/les-comites/

If you wish, you can make a donation to the Association's account: ELA n° BE66 1144 7275 0143 with the mention "Jogging LIEGE science park 2023". All payments over €40 are tax-deductible