What personally motivates you to take part in this event? 

For me, this is more than just a fundraising event—it's personal. I was diagnosed with bone cancer and spent nine months in treatment. That experience changed a lot. I had been studying chemistry, but after what I went through, I knew I wanted to help develop new medicines. Eventually, I found my way into cancer research. I have to admit, I really did have doubts about joining the Alpe d’HuZes. But my mother said, ‘You have to do it—you’ll regret it if you don’t.’ And I think she is right. Taking part in Alpe d’HuZes feels like a natural continuation of that journey. It’s a way to give back and raise money for research, including the kind I’m involved in myself.

What does “Giving up is not an option” mean to you? 

It’s a tricky one. Personally, I’ve always said, “Komt goed” (it’s going to be okay). That’s kind of my motto. Not necessarily in a concrete way—you never know exactly how things will turn out—but I trust the process. For me, it’s less about never giving up and more about going with the flow, doing what you can, and believing you’ll end up where you need to be.

How are you preparing, and has there been a moment in this journey that stood out to you? 

Honestly, I had never ridden a race bike before this. My roommate had an indoor bike trainer, so that’s where I started. Then I got some help picking out my own bike and began riding outside. At first, I was nervous about how to train—there are no mountains in the Netherlands! My last training in Italy – with hill climbing – was with Jan Paul Medema (red. Head of Oncode Institute) and others. We cycled up the mountain, and surprisingly, it went really well. So in fact, I am able to head to the event feeling pretty relaxed. But for me, it is less about performance and more about enjoying the ride. I’ve grown to really like it—being outside, being active, and sharing the moment.

Why are you committed to cancer research? 

As a PhD student, I’m just one small link in a much bigger chain. But every link is necessary to move things forward. 

Cancer is a terrible disease, and while we’ve made big steps, we’re still not where we need to be. That’s why research is so important—every bit counts. 

My own experience made that clear to me early on. After my Bachelor's in Chemistry, I chose to go into synthesising therapies, with the goal to eventually work in oncology, because I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way.

What do you hope people will take away from your climb? 

What I hope people see—both from the outside and those taking part—is a real sense of Unity. That feeling of not being alone in whatever you're going through. It’s something I experienced deeply when I was sick. Even though my background was different from some of the people around me during treatment, I was surrounded by warmth, by friends, by others going through treatment. There was always this sense that we were looking out for each other, support one another, and share the moment. That’s the kind of unity I see in this event. All these people coming together because they believe in something—it creates a powerful bond. I hope others watching realise: you’re never truly alone. There’s always a community out there standing with you.

Stay tuned for more updates as 18 Oncode Institute teams participate in this year’s Alpe d’HuZes. Also, follow our LinkedIn page, where we’ll share frequent updates.