Marc Bijlsma
In memory of his wife, and deeply grateful for the six years of laughter and family life that medical treatments afforded them during her illness, Marc will cycle across Europe to help other families receive the same priceless gift of time and joy.
More About Marc
My name is Marc Bijlsma. Five years ago, I said goodbye to my wife after her six-year journey with cancer. While those years were undoubtedly marked by uncertainty, they were also, against all odds, filled with life.
Thanks to the dedication of her medical team and the power of ongoing research, those six years weren't just about fighting an illness. They were about living. We were given the priceless gift of time to laugh together, to create memories, and most importantly, to raise our children. It was the progress in cancer treatment that allowed us to continue being a family, preserving moments of joy and normalcy even when our daily lives were shaped by the illness.
Now, I want to help give that same gift to other families.
In 2026, I am joining two friends to combine my lifelong passion for cycling with this profound purpose. We will ride from Estonia to Gibraltar, with every kilometer fueled by the memory of the laughter and life that research made possible for my family. We are riding to support the science that gives families more than just hope. It gives them the chance for more good days, more memories, more fun together.
Please join us. Your support will help fund the research that creates hope and, just as importantly, creates the space for life and laughter to continue for the many families on this difficult journey, both now and in the future.