In 2022, a truly unique collaboration was launched to provide patients with cancer
an opportunity to participate in oncology research at regional hospitals. Funding for this crucial endeavor is primarily raised by Amsterdam marathon participants in association with KWF kankerbestrijding. The 2023 edition of this fundraiser event resulted in a fantastic € 1,122,370 boost for regional cancer research!

Also in 2023, the Amsterdam marathon organization joined forces with KWF Kankerbestrijding to raise money for groundbreaking regional cancer research within the ‘Ren voor de Regio’ project. This initiative by Prof. Sonja Zweegman and other principal investigators at Cancer Center Amsterdam allows greater sharing of resources, knowledge, and expertise to achieve innovative breakthroughs in cancer research. Cancer Center Amsterdam and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, together with IKNL, DORP and hospitals in North Holland and Flevoland will be working together in a centralized oncology research network.

"I am deeply impressed by all the runners who have worked hard to fundraise for KWF. The money they raised will go to the Amsterdam UMC-Cancer Center Amsterdam. The center wants as many patients as possible to benefit from their innovative treatments, not only in academic hospitals, but also in regional hospitals. That is why they want to set up a regional research network, so patients will have faster access to the latest treatments. We are extremely grateful to all participants, the organization and donors." Carla van Gils, director KWF Kankerbestrijding.

Marathon runners had a choice of making a voluntary contribution to this research initiative at the time of registration, and/or starting an ‘action page’ on the KWF ‘Run Against Cancer’ website to acquire financial sponsors. More than 1500 runners signed up to raise at least € 500 each, together with contributions from TCS (€ 30,000) and Action (€ 134,050) resulting in a € 1,122,370 boost for cancer research in the region North Holland and Flevoland.

"We are over the moon with the proceeds of the 2023 Amsterdam marathon
fundraising event! A BIG-BIG THANK YOU to all who made this possible. Runners,
organizers, sponsors, you did it! For us at Cancer Center Amsterdam, together
with our colleagues at Antoni van Leeuwenhoek and involved regional hospitals, this
is an incredible stimulus for partnering with cancer patients in the region to
find better treatments faster.” Prof. Geert Kazemier, Chair Executive Board
Cancer Center Amsterdam.

For more information, check out ‘A Unique Collaboration’ on page 5 of the Cancer Center Amsterdam Annual Review 2022, or contact Cancer Center Amsterdam.

Photos: Elvin Boer.

This article was created for Cancer Center Amsterdam.

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