In this blog, we follow the journey of our colleagues Stefan Timmerman and Henk van Laar, to reach the summit of the Mont Ventoux in June 2022. They will be joining the Give&Live cycling club, which is a group of cyclists that are either organ- or stem cell recipient, donor, or working in the field of transplantation. GenDx sponsors the event, and Henk and Stefan are the lucky GenDx representatives to support the Give&Live cycling club on their way to the top of the mountain. 

May 25, 2022

On May 14th, GenDx organized a training for the Give&Live cycling club, in the Utrechtse Heuvelrug area. Both Give&Live members and GenDx employees joined. We started the day with a lunch at restaurant ‘Het Leersumseveld’, after which we hit the road for one or more rounds of cycling.

Bart Valkenburg B.ASc, Technician R&D:
How often do you have the opportunity to meet with people who have had a transplant?
Speak with someone who has donated an organ? To hear what it’s like to be standing on the sidelines? All of this was possible at last GenDx / Give&Live Cycling event.
Joining this event, hearing the stories of these people whilst sharing the same passion for cycling was amazing, both moving and inspiring. Getting to know the individual challenges, but all destined with the same drive and motivation to conquer the Mont Ventoux, I am glad I could be part of this training and share this experience. I am already looking forward to the next event!
Good luck to all the participants, Henk and Stefan riding up the mountain this summer!

Anouk van Tilborg MSc, HR & Communications Associate:
Many personal victories were achieved by the cyclists, varying from biking up their first ever hill, to doing that 6x in a row…
There was only one ‘accident’ in the form of a blown tire, but luckily that happened when the group took a break at the restaurant, not while cycling.
I was very impressed by the personal stories of the Give&Live members, who all have a huge zest for life and their own drive to conquer that Ventoux Mountain this Summer.
It felt like a real reward to see a lot of smiling faces on the day itself, and receiving some ‘thank you’ messages afterwards.
Wishing everybody, including Henk and Stefan, a successful Transplantoux event!
And remember, often the best view comes after the hardest climb, but also don’t forget to appreciate and enjoy the journey.

Anouk