Zoé’s story is one of courage, hope, and solidarity. Born on October 28, 2008, she was diagnosed shortly after with neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. Zoé spent nearly three months at the CHUV (University Hospital of Lausanne) before finally being able to return home.Despite the treatment, the cancer returned. At the age of four and a half, Zoé faced a new relapse. A little girl who dreamed of becoming a nurse at the CHUV—just so she could wear high heels like the grown-ups—found herself forced to fight once again. The necessary treatment was complex and only available abroad.
It was at the CHUV that Zoé and Elliot met. Their mothers, Natalie and Nicole, shared the same ordeal and quickly formed an intense friendship. Each maintained a blog where they shared their experiences and, above all, nurtured a common desire to raise public awareness about childhood cancer—a subject that was still too often a taboo in Switzerland.When Zoé suffered her final relapse, Nicole suggested creating an association to help fund her "last-chance" treatment. Family and friends mobilized without hesitation. Thus, in May 2013, the association Zoé4life was born.
Zoé4life is more than just the name of an association; it is the story of a little girl who inspired hundreds of people. It is the story of Natalie and Nicole, two mothers who transformed their personal struggle into a collective force.