Gertjan says: 'I didn't know anything about it. At one point I was asked to come on stage. And I knew I had to come on stage a few times, but I thought, this is a weird moment. When I saw the mayor it only dawned on me a little bit. It was very special. A bit emotional too. I was quite tired and busy, such an event takes a lot of time. In total the mayor spent ten minutes explaining why I had to be knighted, which gave me time to recover a bit...'.
In his long career, Gertjan Kaspers has made an important contribution to improving the survival chances of children with cancer. Not only in the Netherlands, but worldwide. Both as a pediatric oncologist, but also as Director of Academy & Outreach, he means a lot to our center and to a number of Foundations. Moreover, Gertjan Kaspers played an important role in the establishment of the Princess Máxima Center.
'I also see it as recognition for the time I put into a lot of things. And also real recognition for what my team achieves,' says Gertjan. The professor is described by colleagues as an excellent researcher, a fine colleague and an inspired doctor who is very involved with children and their parents.
On behalf of the entire center, we congratulate Gertjan Kaspers on this special award.