Aixial Group and Petit Coeur de Beurre: A partnership using data analysis to improve the lives of individuals with congenital heart disease
A conversation with Gaëlle Marguin and Stéphane Thérèse
Partnership — To celebrate this partnership, we sat down with Gaëlle Marguin, Managing Director of Petit Coeur de Beurre and Stéphane Thérèse, Managing Director of Aixial Group, to discuss the mission, the specific impact of our work, and the shared values that make this collaboration so special.
Our commitment to advancing health extends beyond clinical research.
Aixial Group is proud to announce a new partnership with Petit Cœur de Beurre, an organisation that helps people with congenital heart disease. This collaboration takes our long-standing relationship to the next level by focusing on a crucial, often overlooked, challenge: improving the quality of life for adult patients.
Our experts, Lionel Riou França (Stat Expert) and Dorian Bancovic (Biostatistician) are lending their data analysis skills to help the association conduct a vital patient survey. This will provide the insights needed to better understand patient journeys and adapt their services accordingly. By working together, we are helping to ensure that the lives of all patients are improved so that they can thrive.
What are the current challenges for Petit Cœur de Beurre?
Gaëlle Marguin — Advances in cardiac surgery over the past few decades have changed the landscape of congenital cardiology. Today, 90% of children born with a congenital heart condition reach adulthood. The challenge now is not just to survive, but to truly live well with the condition. We work alongside healthcare professionals to improve treatment pathways and also on research programs to better understand certain mechanisms, such as those related to neurodevelopment. This helps us develop new prevention and care strategies.
Could you please explain how this partnership and the skills provided by Aixial Group’s experts will help Petit Cœur de Beurre advance its mission?
Gaëlle Marguin — Our first meeting with Aixial was in 2018! This long-standing partnership began with engaged Aixial employees participating in the Course des Héros race. More recently, Petit Cœur de Beurre has benefited from sponsorship agreement support. We are surveying our patients, and Aixial is helping us by providing employees to assist with the survey’s design and analysis, working alongside cardiologists from the congenital heart disease reference centre. This support is invaluable because we don’t have this expertise in-house.
While we do need financial donations for certain projects, the provision of employee skills through partnership is a tremendous asset for us. We have regular contact with the Aixial teams, which also allows us to involve their employees in awareness events. It’s important to remember that 1 in 100 children is born with a congenital heart condition, so this issue affects all of us, including Aixial employees. In that regard, World Heart Day on September 29th is a great opportunity to get involved, raise awareness, and support our work. Whether through internal campaigns, solidarity challenges, or social media, every action counts!
What led Aixial Group to work with the Petit Cœur de Beurre?
Stéphane Thérèse — We first heard about the association through a colleague who has a personal connection to the cause. This made our partnership with them a logical choice, as it aligns with our mission to improve the lives of patients worldwide. We are able to offer Petit Coeur de Beurre our most valuable asset: our expertise in managing complex data, which creates a direct and meaningful impact on those living with this disease.
What value do you see in this type of skills-based partnership for our employees?
Stéphane Thérèse — For our team, being involved in a corporate sponsorship project is highly valuable. It enables them to step out of their usual clinical research projects, take on new challenges and witness the positive impact of their work in supporting a charitable cause. Ultimately, I believe it’s an enriching experience that benefits our team both personally and professionally.
What message would you like to send to Aixial Group employees who are or might become involved with your cause?
Gaëlle Marguin —On behalf of the entire Petit Cœur de Beurre team, we want to extend a huge thank you. Your commitment to our cause, whether it’s already happening or still in the works, is a wonderful source of hope and energy for children and adults with congenital heart conditions, their families, and the caregivers who support them daily. Your expertise, time, ideas, and actions are all hearts beating for the same cause. Together, we are making the life journey of these patients a little softer, a little stronger, and much more human.
Getting involved with us means joining a demanding but deeply human solidarity effort. It means joining a community that believes fragility should never lead to exclusion and that kindness can change lives.
