VUB organizes donor event for breast cancer research: €775,000 raised for the Yamina Krossa Fund
The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) organized a special event today in honor of International Breast Cancer Month. The university highlighted the critical importance of groundbreaking cancer research and expressed sincere thanks to the generous donors who support the VUB Yamina Krossa Fund. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Yamina Krossa, an impressive €775,000 has been raised. These funds strengthen the research of Prof. Dr. Ir. Damya Laoui and her team, who are developing promising therapies against cancer relapse and metastasis—an essential step in the fight against cancer.
Several invited guests first participated in an interactive experiment in Prof. Laoui’s Dendritic Cell Biology and Cancer Immunotherapy laboratory. The opening speech was delivered by Rector Jan Danckaert, who expressed gratitude for the indispensable support and involvement of those present. He emphasized the importance of both scientific research and prevention in the fight against breast cancer and other forms of the disease.
"At VUB and UZ Brussel, researchers work day in and day out to save lives," said Danckaert. "Among them is Damya Laoui, who, together with her team, is developing a promising therapy against cancer relapse and metastasis. Today, this research has advanced significantly thanks to the contributions of our generous donors. Thanks to these funds, the work is not limited to theoretical research, and there is now the prospect of bringing it into the clinic and applying it to the first patients in the near future."
Next, Vice-Rector for Innovation & Valorization, Peter Schelkens, spoke. He reflected on the loss of honorary rectors Caroline Pauwels and Paul De Knop and emphasized how these tragic events have strengthened the university’s resolve in the fight against cancer. "Science is our most powerful weapon against this devastating disease," Schelkens stressed.
Yamina Krossa, the fund’s founder, highlighted the power of the network: “Thanks to large donations, such as those from stand-up comedian and patron Alex Agnew, we can achieve enormous progress. But even that one student who donated €5, or the loyal monthly donors, contribute to our success. Those who cannot donate themselves but inspire others to do so are also invaluable. We are grateful to everyone who—in any way—invests in hope and contributes to a future where the fear of cancer recurrence is a thing of the past.”
Panel Discussion
Initiators supporting the fund shared their inspiring actions during a panel discussion, hosted by Friedl’ Lesage.
Among them were Ginette Barrie and her son Jochen Van Den Broeck from Hamse Bouwcentrale, who annually support the cause. Barrie has organized the “Beat Cancer with Music” concert for two consecutive years, donating the proceeds to the fund. Her son Jochen contributed through the Hams Boarding football tournament, also raising a significant amount.
Marie-Lynn Hens spoke about the support provided by the AFAS Foundation for the development of the podcast “It’s cancer. What now?”
"The power of community spirit can move mountains, and the warm VUB community demonstrates that time and again," concluded Friedl’ Lesage.
VUB remains determined in its mission to contribute through innovation and research to a world where breast cancer is no longer a deadly disease and where patients enjoy a better quality of life. Anyone wishing to support the research of Prof. Dr. Ir. Damya Laoui can do so via the VUB Yamina Krossa Fund.