ECPC's member of the month March 2009 is:

SJOUKJE VAN DUIN

My Organisation

Our organisation has been in (public) existence since November 2003. We have set up an extensive website to be found at www.longkanker.info and materials about lung cancer that are being disseminated by lung cancer clinics.

In 2007 we started a project called LONGstories. LONGstories is all about the stories of lung cancer patients and their loved ones. Well known Dutch artists have translated the special feelings and insights of these patients into equally special works of art. This has resulted in a second exposition that is just as moving en inspiring as the first one. The exposition took place in November, the worldwide Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

This awareness is absolutely essential because of the negative image of the disease. This image is caused by the link between lung cancer and smoking, but more and more often non-smokers are affected by the disease. In the Netherlands every year more than 9.000 patients are diagnosed with lung cancer. Mostly the prognosis is not good. At the moment, more women die of lung cancer than breast cancer (in one year). With Longstories we want to create more understanding and compassion for lung cancer patients and their families and friends. The good news is that a lot of progress is being made in the treatment of lung cancer.

The expositions Longstories II (2008) and I (2007) are now 'on tour' to different hospitals in The Netherlands. For more information see http://www.longstories.nl. In November 2008 we also made a internet-tv-broadcast. A program with doctors and patients about a life with lung cancer. Diagnose, treatments and other aspects like emotions are part of the conversation. For more information see http://www.longkankertv.nl

I‘m very proud that I was given the opportunity to corporate with both projects.

My story

I’m 50 years old and  I work at a notary public office as a notary clerk. I have been treated for non small cell lung cancer in 1997/1998. I had an operation, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. I was early diagnosed, so I was very lucky to survive lung cancer. My father didn’t survive this terrible disease.  He died in 1997 at the age of 62 years.

Since 2001 until 2003 I have been a board member of Stichting Longkanker, an organization by and for lungcancerpatients.In this organization I communicated with lungcancerpatients and their relatives. I delivered lectures for partners in distress and from 2003 untill 2005 I was the editor of the newspaper. In 2003 I became a board member of Longkanker Informatiecentrum (Lungcancer Information Center). I helped set up the Longkanker Informatiecentrum and I`m resonsible for the finances.

How to contact me

E-Mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.longkanker.info

See also our previous ECPC Members of the Month.