GenDx is ‘Fit to Donate’ and goes the extra mile to raise funds for Stichting Matchis
With the ‘GenDx Tulip Run’, colleagues, friends and family raised €3,850 for Matchis, good for one new potential stem cell donor per employee.
In September, the month of the World Marrow Donor Day, GenDx organized their ‘Fit to Donate’ initiative. Since 2018, GenDx has partnered with Matchis, the Dutch Center for Stem Cell Donors, to raise awareness about stem cell transplantation among the target population of young, healthy potential donors in and around Utrecht. This aligns with GenDx’s mission to improve the quality of life and survival chances of transplant patients. This year, we shifted the focus to raising funds for Matchis.
You probably heard on the news that there is a need for more potential stem cell donors in order to find a life-saving match for all patients in need of a stem cell transplant. Each new donation represents hope to get a second chance at life.
Did you know that it costs Matchis €35,- to type and register one single potential stem cell donor in the international database? With an aimed growth of 20.000 new registrations per year, this represents a major expense. To cover these costs, Matchis largely relies on sponsorships and donations. That’s why GenDx decided to start a campaign on SterkvoorMatchis.nl, Matchis’ fundraising platform.
To support this ‘Sterk voor Matchis’ campaign, GenDx organized the ‘Fit to Donate’ initiative during the month of September, that culminated in the ‘GenDx Tulip Run’ on September 23. Inspired by previous “Tulip Runs” held during Immunogenetics conferences, this event brought together GenDx colleagues, friends, and family to run or walk at Utrecht Science Park, all motivated by a shared goal.
Our colleagues really went the extra mile in September. We look back on an amazing day filled with teamwork, laughter and a healthy sense of competitiveness. We raised an impressive € 3.850,- for Matchis – symbolizing one newly registered stem cell donor for each GenDx employee.
Learn more about the initiative here.
Living Lab in the Spotlight: Utrecht Science Park
Utrecht Science Park is home to several living labs focused on energy and circularity. These include Lumifield, which explores the generation and storage of solar energy, and the biogas digester, which uses organic waste as an energy source. On their own, these are already promising initiatives. Connected, they could become something much bigger: a functioning, learning model for a circular campus.
From student idea during challenge to ReGreen Hut at Dutch Design Week
On hot summer days, temperatures can rise significantly at Utrecht Science Park, while students are looking for places to study, relax and find some shade outdoors. At the same time, planting trees is not always straightforward: underground, the campus is crisscrossed by a dense network of cables and utility lines. So how can we create shade, greenery and places to relax without major changes to the ground?
Utrecht Science Week kicks off: social and economic impact of Utrecht Science Park in the spotlight
The sixth edition of Utrecht Science Week takes place from Friday, 25 September to Sunday, 4 October. During this time, Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to the general public, showcasing how research, innovation, and collaboration lead to tangible societal and economic impact. At the same time, the week underscores the importance of sustained investment in knowledge and innovation.
Looking back at Utrecht Science Week: research, education, and entrepreneurship in the spotlight
Utrecht Science Week 2026 has come to a close. For over a week, visitors enjoyed workshops, lectures, group discussions, and tours focused on science and innovation at Utrecht Science Park. With more than thirty program activities across over 25 locations, there were ample opportunities to experience science up close. We look back on a fantastic week that once again highlighted the essential role of collaboration, and the combination of research, education, and entrepreneurship, in addressing the societal challenges of our time.