AMOUNT RAISED

€288.00

Running for my uncle!

Some may say at the age of 57, a man is too old for a 10km run, but my uncle did it almost every single night of his life. And you may say it is too early to leave this life at the age of 57, but my uncle did not get the chance to turn 58.

I used to see him at least once a month. We ate and drank together and then we talked about poetry, politics and of course girls. But especially about funny subjects that we could laugh about. After that, I usually went to the guest room to sleep and he left the house for a run.

Just like a professional stand-up comedian, my uncle was able to make you laugh at literally everything. Even during the final days of his life! Like the time when he, in his final days, was lying on his bed in the terminal section of a hospital in The Hague. A beautiful nurse came in to give him a bath. He could hardly move and every movement was for him a big struggle, full of pain. After she kindly finished washing him, he used the last part of his energy to wave at me. I brought my ears near his mouth and he said, “it’s very hard”. I nodded, trying to keep the tears inside my eyes. “It is hard”, he continued, “for her…to study for so hard to have a degree…, to finally come and wash my ass”, pointing at the nurse with his eyebrows. Both, my tears and my laughter appeared at the same time on my face.

He left us a year ago. We still laugh at his jokes, wondering how suddenly his precious life came to an end in less than 7 months after doctors told us that he has an aggressive lounge cancer. I had never realized before how sad it is that there is no real medical treatment, no cure for this disease. After his life ended, I knew I want to do something about this. I wanted to be a part of a worldwide solution for this unsolved problem.

That is why I am putting on my running shoes, joining an international community who raises money for cancer research. I will participate in Alpe d'HuZes in June 2024 for my beloved uncle and all those uncles and aunts who don’t want to give up their hopes for life and fight against cancer. Thank you for reading my story and thank you for supporting me on this journey.