Datum: 03/11/2024

Dear family and friends,

After six months of intense preparation, I am thrilled to be in the final stretch towards the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 3rd. I will be running this marathon with my wonderful husband Michael, in support of the Michaël Van Waeyenberge fund.

These past months have been a rollercoaster, with minor injuries and late-night runs when I couldn't fit in enough kilometers. But there were also countless joyful moments running with friends, family, and during various training sessions and races (half marathons in Bruges & Antwerp, 10 miles in Ghent, 20km trail Foxrun, 20km Brussels, 13.5km Urban Trail Brussels). I am grateful to my running coach Simon for his invaluable advice and unwavering encouragement.

Preparing for a marathon demands perseverance and discipline. Yet, the thought of running for the Michaël Van Waeyenberge fund has been my constant motivation. My efforts pale in comparison to what leukemia patients endure: with weeks of isolation from their family and friends, where the utmost is demanded of their bodies, where hope and despair, laughter and tears, sadness and intense happiness follow each other in rapid succession and unfortunately not always in a positive order.

To join the fight against leukemia and support me, you can sponsor me per kilometer through the King Baudouin Foundation IBAN: BE10 0000 0000 0404 – BIC: GEBABEBB with reference code “181/0650/00082 MVW Fondation Marathon” (tax certificate from €40). Michael would have turned 42 in April 2025, and I am now 42 years old. I would like to honour him by running 42 km.

For more information, please visit www.mvwfonds.be