International Childhood Cancer Day 2023

On February 15, we express our support for children with cancer. We therefore like to send all children at the Princess Máxima Center a special card. A card with a unique Orange Heart to support.

A card is a great way to let children with cancer and their families know they are not alone.

Send a special card

Quality of Life

An optimal quality of life for children with cancer and their families is part of our mission. Both during and after treatment. That is why professionals and researchers work together. With the aim of allowing daily life to continue as normal as possible. Do you wnt to know more? Then read on.

Laura (12): 'The KLIK questions about quality of life are easy and quite fun to answer before I go to the doctor.’ Her dad, Rob Smulders says: ‘We fill out the questions about a week before the appointment at the Máxima Center. Especially the questions about Laura's well-being are important to us. It's nice when the doctor has an idea of this prior to the appointment, so it can be taken into account.’

When a child has cancer this is incredibly impactful for the child and the whole family. The Máxima Center's ambassador Bas Smit questions Wouter Kollen (director Quality of Life and pediatric oncologist) about how the Máxima Center supports them in feeling as well as possible. Both during and after treatment.

Watch the video

Prof. dr. Martha Grootenhuis: ‘In our care and research for children with cancer, everything is focused on the development of the child. That’s why we pay so much attention to quality of life. We really need to tailor our care to the individual child and family, we need a wide range of interventions. That’s why research into quality of life is so important.’

Pediatric oncologist Natasja Dors on bringing into focus of quality of life with KLIK ‘Sometimes the impact of treatment is unclear. KLIK makes this visible. There is focused attention on a specific issue. By systematically asking questions, the development of a child comes into focus.’

Mums Angelique, Jolanda and Angela know what it's like to surprise your sick child with postcards. They called on acquaintances to send them mail, which could then be used to cover all the walls in the room. 'It breaks up the day and energizes them,' they say.

Princess Máxima Center Foundation

Since the opening of the Máxima, the Foundation has made possible, among other things, the parent-child rooms, the sports garden, programs to reduce pain and stress, Maximum Exercise and the memorial meetings for families of deceased children. Health insurance companies only reimburse the diagnosis and treatment. To fund facilities that contribute to quality of life and are essential for the well-being of child and family, the Máxima depends in part on donors and partners of the Princess Máxima Center Foundation. To achieve our mission of curing every child with cancer with optimal quality of life, there is still much work to do. And we could really use your help with that.

I would like to support

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