October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to the fight against the most common cancer among women. Breast cancer remains a disease with a high risk of relapse: it is estimated that one in seven women will face the disease again within ten years. The team led by VUB professor Damya Laoui is developing a personalized cancer vaccine designed to prevent relapse and metastasis. The research is also close to the heart of comedian Alex Agnew, who donates €1 per ticket sold from his new show No More Heroes to support Laoui’s work.
Laoui’s team, part of the VIB-VUB Center for Inflammation Research, is developing a vaccine that trains the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells before they can grow back. Their approach uses dendritic cells — the “commanders” of the immune system — to activate immune cells and build memory against future tumors. In earlier animal studies, the team already demonstrated that this method effectively prevents relapse and metastasis. Moreover, Professor Laoui was recently awarded the GSK Vaccines Prize 2025 for her groundbreaking research.
Despite these successes, external funding remains crucial. The VUB-Yamina Krossa Fund has already raised €869,042, but the financial needs are still significant.
“Current cuts to research budgets pose a serious threat to the progress of our work,” says Professor Damya Laoui. “With external support, we can continue to develop our therapy and bring it to patients.”
Financial support from Alex Agnew
Alex Agnew first learned about Professor Laoui’s work and the Yamina Krossa Fund a few years ago through his podcast Welcome to the AA, when the wife of his co-host Andries Beckers was diagnosed with cancer. That encounter made a deep impression and led to a lasting collaboration with the VUB. During his previous tour, Wake Me Up When It’s Over, Agnew donated €1 per ticket sold to the Yamina Krossa Fund, raising over €100,000, which helped establish a research chair in support of Laoui’s work. Now, the comedian is continuing his commitment, donating €1 per ticket from his latest show No More Heroes to the same cause.
“When I heard about Damya Laoui’s work, I thought: this isn’t some vague charity. You can see exactly where your money goes,” says Alex Agnew. “If this research succeeds, it could save millions of lives — that’s incredible.”
"We are deeply grateful to Alex Agnew for once again helping make this research possible,” concludes Professor Damya Laoui.
Donations to Damya Laoui’s groundbreaking research can be made through the Yamina Krossa Fund: https://www.vub.be/en/donate-vub/support-vub-through-gift/yamina-krossa-fund
From left to right Elisabeth Rabaey, Damya Laoui, Alex Agnew, Yamina Krossa and Joris Verluyten
About VUB Foundation
The VUB Foundation raises philanthropic funds from companies, organizations, institutions, and individuals. It operates within the framework of the TechTransfer department of the Vice-Rectorate for Innovation and Valorization. The Foundation’s policy is based on the belief that every philanthropic gift creates social return. Every contribution supports education, research, innovation, or the heritage of the VUB. The knowledge and insights that result from this work flow back into society.
What you give to the VUB, you get back.
Contact
Joris Verluyten
Fundraising Officer
+32 (0)498 18 18 21
ALEX AGNEW – NO MORE HEROES
Afas Dome - Sportpaleis, Antwerp
Thursday, 8 October 2026
In his most personal show to date, Alex Agnew goes in search of heroes. In these dark times of war, polarization, superhero fatigue, and malleable truth, can he still find anyone willing to fight for the (real) truth and justice?
Is he himself capable of being that hero? Or are there truly NO MORE HEROES? Tickets and info: www.alexagnew.be