Research into neuroblastoma makes all the difference
When Joep, as a three-year-old boy, was diagnosed with the most severe form of neuroblastoma, his chance of survival was around 20 per cent. Joep passed away. Joep’s parents promised him that they would dedicate themselves to ensuring that no child would ever have to die from neuroblastoma again. That is how Villa Joep came into being. Just over ten years ago, Gérita and Inge Wessels met Leontine, Joep’s mother. Since then, Reggeborgh Foundation has been supporting Villa Joep to accelerate research into neuroblastoma.
Kjeld Nuis meets Glen and researcher Lieve Tytgat
To see what research has made possible in the meantime, Kjeld Nuis from Reggeborgh Speed Skating Team visited the Princess Máxima Centre. Researcher Lieve Tytgat told him about her work. Her recent research provides greater insight into the prognosis for children with neuroblastoma and contributes to better, personalised treatments. At the same time, it highlights why further research remains essential. There, Kjeld also met Glen. Like Joep, he was diagnosed with the most severe form of neuroblastoma. His bead necklace is almost seven metres long. Each bead represents a treatment, a test or another moment during his illness. Kjeld brought his Olympic medals with him. Medals and beads, each with its own unique story. But the most important news comes from Glen himself: he is cured.
That gives hope. For children like Joep and Glen, the average survival rate now stands at around 50 per cent. But that is not enough. Research must ensure that more children can be cured and that treatments become less intensive, with fewer long-term consequences for their future lives.
Villa Joep’s mission: to ensure that no child ever has to die from neuroblastoma again.
This requires long-term support. Reggeborgh Foundation has been contributing to this for over ten years now. And we’re going to keep going. Research into immunology and CAR-T applications for neuroblastoma offers the prospect of better treatments.
“We hope that more companies will join us in this mission, because the more support there is for research, the faster we can make progress. So that more and more children can hear the same words as Glen: ‘You’re cured.’”
- Inge Wessels