The Mimosa Association is a cancer charity founded in 2013 on the French Riviera with the aim of supporting the fight against cancer through awareness, prevention, and community action. Created by a group of volunteers who have been personally affected by cancer, the organisation was established to make a meaningful difference for patients, families, and caregivers in the local community.
In the run-up to the Mimosa Association’s two upcoming fundraising events, its annual Clothes Sale and the Mini Mimosa Fun Run, we spoke to its new President Camilla Trevelyan-Daley, to find out more about the amazing work of this cancer charity based in the South of France.
The Mimosa Association Cancer Charity
The Mimosa Association has become an important presence in the local community. Can you tell us how the organisation began and what inspired its creation?
Mimosa was created by a group of women living on the French Riviera who felt a strong desire to support people in their community facing cancer. Many of the founding members had been personally touched by the disease, either through family or friends and wanted to transform that experience into something positive for others.
What began as a small group organising charity sales and local fundraising events gradually grew into a committed volunteer association bringing together people from across the Riviera. Over the years, Mimosa has evolved into a collaborative community that unites volunteers, local businesses, schools and partner organisations, all working toward one goal: making a meaningful difference to people affected by cancer on the French Riviera.
What is the core mission of the Mimosa Association today, and how has it evolved over the years?
Today, Mimosa’s mission is to support people affected by cancer across the French Riviera by funding projects that improve patient wellbeing, while also helping to promote education and prevention within the community.
A key part of our approach is that we work alongside and support frontline associations and organisations who are directly assisting patients and families every day. Rather than duplicating their work, Mimosa helps fund the initiatives that make a real difference on the ground — whether that is psychological support programmes, innovative technologies for children in hospital, rehabilitation resources, or patient support services.
Education and prevention are also increasingly important parts of what we do. By raising awareness through our events and community initiatives, we help encourage conversations around early detection, health awareness and the importance of supporting those affected
Operating in the South of France presents both opportunities and challenges. What are the specific needs of cancer patients and families in this region?
The French Riviera has world-class healthcare facilities, but cancer still places enormous emotional and practical strain on families.
Many patients face long treatment periods that can be isolating. For children especially, long hospital stays mean being separated from school, friends and normal daily life. Families often need emotional support and community connections as much as medical care.
Another aspect unique to our region is its international population. Many residents are living far from their home countries and support networks, and navigating a medical system in another language can add extra stress. This is why community organisations and support centres are so important here — they help ensure that nobody feels alone during their cancer journey.
As a board member, what does your role involve on a day-to-day basis, and what motivates you personally to support this cause?
Mimosa is entirely volunteer-run, so being on the board means wearing many hats. Day-to-day work can involve planning fundraising events, building partnerships with sponsors, coordinating volunteers, working with other charities and hospitals we support, and managing communications and awareness campaigns.
For me personally, the motivation comes from seeing the incredible generosity of this community. The Riviera has a unique mix of cultures and nationalities, and when people come together for a cause like this it creates something very powerful.
It is incredibly rewarding to see how small actions — a volunteer giving their time, a child running in Mini Mimosa, or a local business supporting an event — can combine to create real support for families facing cancer.
Beyond financial assistance, how does the Mimosa Association support patients emotionally and socially during their cancer journey?
Through our partnerships, we help fund programmes that provide rehabilitation resources, psychological counselling, educational support for children during treatment, and complementary therapies that help patients cope emotionally and physically. Mimosa itself is not a medical organisation — our role is to support and fund the frontline experts who are working directly with patients every day, helping them reach as many families as possible.
Since our inception, we have been proud to support La Ligue contre le Cancer and in particular their drop-in support centres across the French Riviera, such as Maison Axel in Cannes (formerly known as L’Espace Ligue). These centres offer free services to cancer patients and their families, including psychological support, adapted sports therapy, reflexology, wellbeing workshops and practical guidance during treatment and recovery. They provide an essential support network that complements hospital care.
Beyond funding, Mimosa also works as a partner on a number of initiatives with organisations like La Ligue, helping to strengthen the support available to patients across our region.
We also support community-based projects where individuals and families can access advice, counselling and practical help. These spaces are incredibly important because they offer connection, understanding and a sense of community during what can otherwise be a very isolating experience.
Are there any particular programmes or initiatives you are especially proud of that have made a meaningful impact locally?
One of the initiatives we are particularly proud of is Mini Mimosa, our children’s charity run (held this year on 3 May 2026, at the Stade des Bouillides, in Valbonne).
It’s a wonderful event where children aged 5 to 15 run laps to raise funds and awareness for childhood cancer. The atmosphere is incredibly uplifting — schools, families and local businesses come together for a morning of sport, music and community spirit.
What makes it special is that children are helping other children. It teaches empathy, generosity and community responsibility from a young age, while raising funds that directly support young cancer patients in our region.
The inscription for this event has just opened so there’s still time to register your child for the Mini Mimosa event via our website or links found on our social media.
Community involvement is essential for charities. Apart from Mini Mimosa, how else can residents of the Riviera get involved?
There are many ways people can get involved with Mimosa, and we are always delighted to welcome new supporters into the community.
Residents can volunteer at events, donate items to our charity sales, take part in fundraising activities, or even organise their own initiatives. From bike rides and yoga mornings to cake sales and charity runs, supporters regularly come up with wonderfully creative ways to raise funds and awareness.
Local businesses also play an essential role through sponsorship, partnerships and in-kind support, helping us extend the reach and impact of our work.
What makes Mimosa special is that it truly thrives on the energy, generosity and creativity of the Riviera community. For anyone interested in getting involved, there are plenty of ideas and opportunities on the volunteer section of our website — or simply get in touch with us. We are always happy to welcome new people who want to make a difference.
Have you witnessed a particular story or moment that truly captures the spirit and impact of Mimosa?
One of the most moving moments each year is watching hundreds of children gather at Mini Mimosa, proudly wearing their race T-shirts and running with huge enthusiasm for a cause bigger than themselves.
Many of them may not fully understand the complexities of cancer, but they understand kindness and helping others. Seeing that generosity and empathy in young people is incredibly powerful and perfectly captures the spirit of Mimosa.
It reminds us that what we are building is not just a charity — it’s a compassionate community.
What are the biggest challenges facing cancer charities today?
Like many charities, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring long-term sustainability. There are many important causes competing for attention and funding, and maintaining volunteer engagement over time requires constant energy and creativity.
For Mimosa, the key has always been staying deeply connected to the community and being transparent about the impact of the funds we raise. We are all volunteers and 100% of the money raised goes directly to supporting those on the frontline. Because people can see the direct benefit of what we do locally, they remain motivated to support the cause.
Looking ahead, what are your ambitions for the association over the next five years?
Looking ahead, our ambition is to continue expanding the support we provide to people affected by cancer across the Riviera while strengthening our partnerships with hospitals and frontline organisations.
We would also like to grow our community engagement — particularly through initiatives that involve younger generations and schools — so that the culture of giving back continues to flourish.
Ultimately, Mimosa’s strength has always come from the community around it. The more people who join us — whether through volunteering, fundraising or partnerships — the greater the impact we can make together.
For more information and to find out how you can help this amazing charity, please click here. And mark 31 March 2026 in your diaries for its Clothes Sale at le Provençal Golf Club.
