This week our colleague Marieke cycles the Alpe d'Huzes. We are so proud. If you are going to climb a mountain without any cycling experience, you need all our core values. Especially Believe in Magic and Never ever give up. She gets into action for a cause she truly believes in: a world without cancer.
At A Beautiful Story, we also experience up close the impact of this disease. In our team, with our creators, with friends and family. Without the progress from research, some people would no longer be here. So our logo proudly flaunts on the cycling jerseys of these amazing ladies. That way we're all in it together. This is Marieke's story.
June 2023, I'm sitting in the backyard enjoying the sun. My best friend Anke, who works at the Dutch Cancer Foundation, walks into the garden. “I have a brilliant idea,” she says. She glows from excitement, but also looks a bit hesitating. I'm curious to hear what she is up to. “Will you join me in cycling the Alpe d'Huzes", an event where people cycle, walk or run up a mountain to raise money for cancer research, next year?” Us? Who have never been on a racing bike? Of course we’re going to do that. Doing something for a cause we both believe in; a world without cancer. This is a story about the power of connection and about never ever giving up and a little believe in magic.
After the first wild idea in June, we quickly grew to a group of 8 women. We all have our own reason and our own story for participating in the Alpe d'Huzes. We have all been affected by cancer in one way or another and the devastating impact of this disease. We lost people close to us, have friends, colleagues or family with cancer or have had cancer themselve. All eight of us have someone sitting on the back of our bike.
Never ever give up, the theme of the Alpe d'Huzes. When you are faced with cancer, there is no other option but to keep going. To hold on to life, to hope. When you have to deal with cancer, it is so overwhelming. Ben, my husband, lost his father to cancer at a young age. And the same applies to Anke who has to miss her mother. That sadness is palpable in everything.
From a group of individuals we have become a close team. Our common goal connects. The journey we went through together last year stirs up so many emotions. When emotions are high, we find support in each other. We encourage each other when we are feeling down. We encourage each other to keep going.
Now almost a year later, I am on the eve of climbing the mountain and I look back on a special year. A year in which I made new friends, in which I pushed my boundaries and, above all, in which I learned how much meaning this event and purpose has for so many people. And whatever we do; giving up is not an option. We do this for anyone who doesn't have the option to opt out. We never ever give up.
Would you like to support us in our goal of raising as much money as possible for cancer research? This can, via https://www.opgevenisgeenoption.nl/fundraisers/MariekeLiesting/alpe-dhuzes
