Rennen met kanker tegen kanker

Running with cancer against cancer; for a dream and a good cause: DUOS

A year ago at the age of 63 I was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and the doctors told me I had about 3 years to live. It could be longer, but that would be a bonus. This horrible news put me on an emotional roller-coaster, which is a nice way of saying that I became to be depressed and sad.

I have run many international marathons in my life, including the most beautiful: the Boston Marathon.

Because of pain, due to metastases, in my legs, I was not able to run for a while. But as a result of the treatment I received at the Erasmus Medical Centre in The Netherlands, the pain disapeared and I felt fit enough to start running again.

That wasn't easy. Hormone therapy had weakened me seriously. In the beginning I was not able to run 2 kilometers, but helped by loving support from my son ('Dad get up, we're going to the gym') I persevered. 

Running was a life changer for me. It has greatly improved my fitness.  Physically of course but also mentally. And what I thought would be completely impossible, is starting to become reality: to qualify for the Boston Marathon one more time. I chase this dream together with my run buddy Tommaso Serrano (left on the picture). Our first coming marathon is the marathon of Bucharest on the 9th of October.

In the past I often linked my marathons with a good cause and I want to do this for our coming races as well. For a purpose that is directly linked with my health situation. That is why I chose for The DUOS Foundation. This foundation is doing a lot of research into innovative treatment methods and medicines in the field of prostate cancer. DUOS often works across the border by participating in various international networks. 

Please help me to support the great work of this foundation. 

Thank you so much!

Pieter