28 July 2017

STELVIO FOR once in a LIFE time… Or so I thought

Blog – Lenneke Helleman (team member EW for Life and Manager Tenderdesk EW Facility Services)

27 August 2016 was a special day. Before I knew it, I was standing on top of the Passo dello Stelvio, in a state of euphoria. I cycled up there unscathed and within a very reasonable time. Who would have thought? In early 2016, persuaded by my colleagues, I signed up to participate in the Stelvio for Life with the EW for Life team. Stelvio for Life is an event with the goal of collecting as much money as possible for personalised cancer research. Of course I said yes, I love a good challenge and even more so if it’s for a good cause like that. I had never been on a race bike before in my life.

The first step was going to the bike shop, the second one was actually getting on the bike. That last part went a lot less smooth. At my first attempt, I ended up on the ground (using the shoes with cleats took some getting used to). It was obvious: I needed a lot of training. And train for it I did. Towards the end, I was just biking up and down the Amerongse Berg to make my altitude meters.

The collecting of at least €1,533 for charity was also quite a challenge. The first donations came from proud friends and family. But that wasn't enough. I found some sponsors that wanted to be there with me when I biked up that mountain. And so, I got four nice company logos on my bike shirt. I was really getting into it and organised a fundraiser together with some of the other EW for Life team members, where people could enjoy a bite and drink to the tune of some music. Additionally, they could win some nice sponsored prizes. It was a big success. The amount of donations was beyond my expectations!

And so, there I was last year, on top of the Passo dello Stelvio: panting, proud, and a beautiful experience richer. It was a perfect ending I thought. Until we had a small reunion in February 2017, and I was starting to feel the itch again. I thought I would only do this once in my life, but before I knew it, I had registered for the Stelvio for Life 2017 to do my share for Barcode for Life!

Barcode for Life Foundation

The Barcode for Life Foundation raises funds for the Center for Perzonalized Cancer Treatment. This is a research centre dedicated to understanding the DNA of cancer cells, which makes it possible to offer a more effective treatment of cancer. More focused on the individual and with less side-effects, or preferably none. Prior to Stelvio for Life, each team member collects a minimum of €1 in sponsor fee for each altitude meter. This means €1,533 per participant, that fully benefits this charity.

Team EW for Life 2017 members are: Bas Cornelissen (General Director), Marcoen Lammers (Rayonmanager), John van Vliet (contact person at Rabobank), Frans van den Top (contact person at Rabobank), Jeltje Hendriks (Employee CMA), Siger van den Dries (Rayonmanager), Lenneke de Ruiter- Helleman (Manager Tenderdesk), Kris Calle (Director EW Facility Services België), Jaimie Verhoef (Rayonmanager), Onno Smit (Operational Manager), Patrick van Meeuwen (Key Account Director),Thijs IJdens (Rayonmanager), Suzanne Bouwen (Contract analyst),Marian Otten (Objectleader).