Together in action for 3FM Serious Request and Spieren voor Spieren
During 3FM Serious Request the whole of the Netherlands came into action for Spieren voor Spieren. A lot of money was raised that can really make a difference for children with a muscular disease: the final amount is € 18,423,566. With the money, Spieren voor Spieren can do research on treatment and medication, faster diagnosis and exercise for children with a muscular disease.
Also UMC Utrecht and the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital took action. At the Spieren voor Spieren Children’s Centre, the impact of a muscle disease on the lives of children and their loved ones is seen every day.
“We are now at the beginning of something new. Over the past 20 years, I have had many difficult conversations with parents of children with muscle diseases. And now we are starting to see the first developments showing that things can be different. There are now two conditions that are treatable: Pompe disease and SMA. For children with these muscle diseases, these treatments are already making a real difference,” says Ludo van der Pol from the Glass House.
Actions with impact
Through various initiatives, colleagues, patients and visitors were encouraged to take action. For example, the Winter Wheels Festival was organised at the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, and the booklet Lotje by Dick Bruna was sold. All proceeds went to 3FM Serious Request and Spieren voor Spieren.
In addition, the Spiertocht was organised together with the paediatric neuromuscular centres of LUMC and Radboud UMC, and with Spierziekten Nederland. On 20 December, more than 450 healthcare professionals and researchers, together with patients, covered (part of) the nearly 80 kilometres from Baarn to the Glass House in ’s-Hertogenbosch.
Together, these actions raised €183,196.45 for 3FM Serious Request and Spieren voor Spieren.
Investing in better care and more research
For the 20,000 children in the Netherlands living with a muscle disease, the amount raised is extraordinary. Thanks to these funds, Spieren voor Spieren can continue to invest in research into new treatments and medications, faster diagnostics, and medical support for sports and physical activity. In this way, work continues on care that helps children participate as fully as possible at school, on the sports field and in everyday life.
Fay-Lynn Asselman: “Step by step, the puzzle of muscle diseases is being solved. Every discovery, every improved understanding of how a disease develops or responds to treatment, brings us closer to our goal: giving everyone with a muscle disease the opportunity to live as independently as possible.”
Missed the actions but still want to contribute?
Even after 3FM Serious Request, it is still possible to support the fight against muscle diseases in children. Through the Foundation, donations can be made to research that contributes to better treatments, faster diagnoses and more opportunities for physical activity.
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