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SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
VUB and UZ Brussels cyclists fighting cancer A 1,000 km bicycle ride to support the fight against cancer during 4 days. This is the goal of the annual 1,000 km trip of the organisation “Kom op tegen Kanker” (Fight Against Cancer). This year, 4 VUB teams were present: 2 VUB university teams and 2 UZ Brussels teams from the Brussels university hospital. For the cyclists this ride is more than just a sporting event. After all, social commitment is one of VUB’s core values. Rector Paul De Knop: “For me - being a keen sportsman - this is a great challenge. I’m forced to work out intensively during the next few weeks and to prepare myself both mentally and physically. However, the sporting aspect is just a matter of secondary importance to me. The main facet is our participation in this event supporting the fight against cancer. Scientists, including our own VUB researchers, do an incessant study in treatment of this horrific illness. Drawing attention to their fight against cancer deserves our wholehearted support.” Lieven Annemans, Prof. of Health Economics, fully agrees with the Rector. “Besides the vast personal pain, this disease is harmful to and a blot on our civil society. In recent decades cancer treatments have vastly improved but they have also become very expensive. This is why more
attention must be paid to prevention by embracing a healthy lifestyle and supporting a healthy environment.” The objective of the 1,000 km ride remains unchanged: companies, associations and groups need to engage teams to cycle 1,000 km in 4 phases or days. Every team must raise EUR 5,000 to participate. The entire sum will go to “Kom op tegen Kanker” (Fight Against Cancer) and will be used to fund cancer research. This year, VUB has collected EUR 23,000.