45-year-old Daphne Veld from Hoorn is today at the start of the Swim to Fight Cancer event in the port to raise money for cancer research. She doesn’t just participate, because about 11 years ago she overcame the disease herself. Thanks to research, she was quick to do so. “Now I want to give something back.”
Daphne is in the middle of life. She has a family, an eight-year-old son, and enjoys water sports such as kite surfing and wave surfing. “I love everything on the water.”
But 12 years ago it was different. After a preventive examination, because her mother and aunt have ovarian cancer, she discovers that she carries the breast cancer gene. She has to go through a whole process and comes under intensive supervision. “Already after the second screening, so quite soon, doctors discovered that I had breast cancer in my right breast.”
“I had to go through the whole medical mill, but because it was small it went relatively well.” She feels very good now, years later. “It was very sad for our family that my mother did not make it in the end, but I am grateful that I can enjoy life. After my illness I had another son.”
She does not want to dwell on the past for a long time, she has a positive outlook on life. “Now I want to give something back. Through research into the gene mutation, I am still here. That is why I want to participate in Swim to Fight Cancer and raise money for charity.”
Daphne raises more than 1,500 euros
Together with four girlfriends and one of their husbands, she jumps into the water around two o’clock this afternoon to swim two kilometers. “I also competed in the Ironman, I did 1/8 triathlon and I like swimming, so I think I’ll be fine,” she says enthusiastically.
Daphne has raised more than 1,500 euros so far. “I am very proud to have raised so much money.”
She hopes that in the future women will no longer have to experience what she has experienced. “How nice would it be, for example, if they could change something about the DNA through research and that women no longer have to give up their breasts and ovaries and don’t even have to be sick. I find that hopeful.”
2023-07-23 05:03:03
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