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.
Utrecht Science Park Summer Café: Farewell to Managing Director Jan Henk van der Velden
On Monday, 6 July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at Grand Café Living on Utrecht Science Park. This edition was dedicated to the farewell of Jan Henk van der Velden, Managing Director of the Utrecht Science Park Foundation, after nine years in which he played a key role in the development and positioning of the ecosystem.
UMC Utrecht is to get a new main entrance and a green campus park
The north side of UMC Utrecht is set to undergo a major redevelopment in the coming years. Utrecht City Council and the teaching hospital have presented plans for a new main entrance, a central car park and a green reception area designed to improve connections between the hospitals at Utrecht Science Park. The plans have now been submitted to the city council.
Petra Baarendse appointed new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park as of 1 September
Utrecht, 2 July 2026 – As of 1 September 2026, Petra Baarendse will take office as the new Managing Director of Stichting Utrecht Science Park. She succeeds Jan Henk van der Velden, who has stepped down and will take on a new role as Managing Director of Stichting Nationaal Park Utrechtse Heuvelrug.
Opening Utrecht Science Week with keynote by Juliette Legler on the hidden influence of environmental chemicals
On Friday, September 25, the annual science festival ‘Utrecht Science Week’ kicks off once again at Utrecht Science Park. We are pleased to announce that this year, Prof. Dr. Ir. Juliette Legler will deliver the Utrecht Science Lecture. Juliette Legler is Professor of Toxicology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University and leads the ‘One Health Toxicology’ group at the Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS).