On June 5, 2025, a group of approximately 25 cancer researchers from UMC Utrecht will participate in Alpe d’HuZes to raise funding for cancer research. They are part of a group of over 150 members from 13 institutes of the Oncode Institute. The annual Alpe d’HuZes fundraising event, organized in collaboration with KWF Kankerbestrijding, brings thousands of participants together to cycle, run, or walk up the iconic French mountain Alpe d’Huez.
Alpe d’HuZes is more than a physical challenge; it is a platform for collective action against cancer. Participants commit to climbing the mountain up to six times in a single day, turning personal perseverance into tangible contributions to cancer research. Cancer impacts millions of lives worldwide. Alpe d’HuZes was created to channel the frustration and helplessness surrounding the disease into support for scientific progress.
Cancer researchers all over the Netherlands share this commitment by conducting research aimed at improving cancer treatments and patient outcomes. Over the past seven years, – joined in Oncode Institute – they have focused on expanding scientific knowledge and accelerating innovations that contribute to better cancer care. The loss of colleagues and loved ones to cancer has reinforced their dedication to continuing this work. By participating in Alpe d’HuZes, the research community aims to support life-changing research while honoring those they have lost to cancer.
Three UMC Utrecht teams
At UMC Utrecht, three teams have joined this initiative: two teams from the Center for Molecular Medicine (a laboratory dedicated to basic cancer research) and one team from the Center for Translational Immunology (an immunology laboratory dedicated to translational research into (auto-) inflammatory diseases and cancer). Over the last couple of months, the teams have been training hard for this event, including training weekends in Limburg and the Ardennes to get used to cycling up-hill.
Prof. Linde Meyaard, PhD (Center for Translational Immunology) explains on behalf of the three UMC Utrecht teams: “We are all scientists working at UMC Utrecht and the Oncode Institute. We have all been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, experiencing both the good and the bad outcomes. As a team, we are participating in Alpe d’HuZes because we believe that together we can work towards a world where cancer no longer kills.”
“We have all been directly or indirectly affected by cancer, experiencing both the good and the bad outcomes. As a team, we are participating in Alpe d’HuZes because we believe that together we can work towards a world where cancer no longer kills.”
Donations
Three teams from UMC Utrecht will participate in Alpe d’HuZes under the Oncode Institute umbrella. It is still possible to support these teams (and/or each individual team member) via a donation. The teams and their members can be found on the Alpe d’HuZes website:
Alpe d’HuZes is a unique sporting event where as much money as possible is raised for cancer research and for improving the quality of life of people with cancer. On a single day, 5000 participants will bike, hike or run the Alpe d’Huez. Attempting a maximum of six climbs, under the motto ‘giving up is not an option’. Since 2006, Alpe d’HuZes has raised more than 226 million euros. Watch below the aftermovie of Alpe d’HuZes 2024 (in Dutch):
