"Sporty heavy, but yield is more important!"

Jantine van Zandwijk is very clear when it comes to the reason: cancer is a terrible disease and a lot of people come into contact with it in one way or another. The reason why she will soon participate in Alpe d'HuZes for the third time in June is just as sad: her father died of the disease in 2016.

"My husband's best friend passed away in 2018 and like so many others, I too know several people suffering from cancer."

Administrative

Jantine: "When my brother Bastiaan started Prospact for himself, he soon asked me to help him with administrative work. As Prospact grew, that work became more. Now, with the approval of my other employer, I am officially part of Prospact's team."

Intense period

"Our father fell ill in 2012. He passed away in 2016 and his illness was an intense period, even for us as a family. Fortunately, we only have fond memories. There are no more questions, it was finished. So when I had the opportunity to participate in Alpe d'HuZes in 2017, I did not hesitate. Not on the road bike, but walking!"

Giving up is not an option

Alpe d'HuZes is a unique sporting event that raises as much money as possible for cancer research and for improving the quality of life of people with cancer. In one day, 5,000 participants climb the Alpe d'Huez by bicycle, running or walking a maximum of six times, under the motto 'giving up is not an option'.

Charity

"My husband works in the agricultural sector," Jantine continues. "Through his work, we participate in team climbing Alpe d'Huez with the organisation 'Big Challenge'. Because of that organisation, there are many sponsorship opportunities. After all, that is the most important thing. The sporting effort is 'relative': what matters is that we raise as much money as possible for charity!"

Insane experience

Jantine: "My first participation was a crazy experience! There is so much involved: the climb itself is very intense, with all those people with their own story and motivation. But also everything around it, getting sponsors and the activities organised around the climb. Bastiaan and the rest of the family then sympathised very intensively from the Netherlands."

Volunteers

"A year later, we participated as a family. Bastiaan, my husband and I as runners and the rest of the family as volunteers. During the corona period, we decided with the family to participate again when we get the chance. In 2023, the time will come: Bastiaan unfortunately cannot participate, but my brother-in-law, niece, husband and two friends and I are running. Bastiaan will participate as soon as his boys are old enough. My mother, sister, two nieces, children of friends and my daughter will join as volunteers. Some of them also walk up the mountain once. The volunteers are really very important for making Alpe d'HuZes possible!"

Target amount

"Our target amount as a team within Big Challenge is 33,000 euros. Because it is organised from employers, companies often donate large amounts! Of course, Prospact also sponsors: when you sponsor a thousand euros, you will appear with your name on the jersey. We also take part in fun actions. The agricultural fair, the local Christmas market: we get a lot of support without asking. Everyone knows someone with cancer. That's why it's so important that we raise as much money as possible!"

Would you also like to contribute to Alpe d'HuZes? You can sponsor Jantine via Stichting Alpe d'HuZes - Jantine van Zandwijk (opgevenisgeenoptie.nl).