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Life doesn’t stop
In this new series we’ll be talking to people who “go the extra mile”; people who don’t just take what life throws at them, but reach for more. First up is Dutch resident Carolien van Leusden. Just started on a 4th round of chemotherapy in a long fight against cancer, Carolien is not content to sit anything out. When most people would simply be concentrating on getting through the next gruelling months of treatment Carolien is busy organising a charity fund-raising event for a cause that has become part of her life: the AOA (Algarve Oncology Association).
Natasha Donn, Edition 694 ( 8 Sep 2011), 
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Are you ever angry that you got cancer?
Ah, now that’s not the way to look at this! Of course, some people do. They say “why me?” and they instantly become victims: defeated before the battle has begun. Something made me look at my illness differently. Cancer has taught me loads of things and made me look and approach life from a different angle than before. It has taught me to take each moment as it comes, and live my life in the Power Moment of Now.
You’re on a 4th round of chemo. What is the prognosis?
In my case, the cancer has spread. I have secondaries in several organs in my body. Each time I get my treatment, I keep my hopes up that the cells will respond and give me more time – but as not all the cells are responding as we (myself and the medical staff at Portimão’s Barlavento Hospital) had hoped, we keep looking for treatments that might buy me more time. Let’s hope this latest one does.
How much more time?
They never tell you that… but I honestly don’t even think that way. Inside, I feel I am a survivor. I still believe in miracles! And it has always been my wish – my goal, really – to be around as long as possible for my children, to see them finishing school and see them off on their way to study and develop in whatever area they’may be interested in.
Tell us about this latest charity event that you’re organising.
The name of the day is Pink Ribbon – after the pink ribbon symbolising efforts in aid of breast cancer - and the event is an amateur Am-Am golf competition at Onyria Palmares Golf Course on Sunday 23rd October. It’s an excellent way of playing the course and giving something to a very special charity. The AOA has been able to do so many wonderful things with the monies they’ve raised from many charity events: they’ve purchased the “Mamabus”, which travels around the Algarve screening for breast cancer – managing to find and treat people at early stages of the disease, so that survival rates become higher.
They helped fund the radiotherapy unit at Faro Hospital - so that patients are spared that long journey to Lisbon for treatments – and now they’re trying to fund Casa Flor das Dunas for people who cannot afford to travel to and from Faro for the 30-35 or so radiotherapy treatments they need (each one only lasting 3 minutes) over a six-week period.
The AOA has always been there for locals and expats, and their families. I strongly support this organisation and appreciate everybody’s help in making this planned charity day a big success.
What do people need to do who would like to support the event?
Contact Palmares Golf reception on 282 790 500 or 917766909. There will also be a special dinner, for prize-giving and people who may not want to play golf but still want to support the charity day, in the evening at the Adega da Marina, in Lagos. I am sure it will be a terrific day!
And how can people follow your news?
I have a website and a blog! I’ve also written a book, which I hope shows people that “life doesn’t stop”… even when you’ve been given some of the worst news of all.
