Origin story of Inspire2live
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Our origins
It all began on Alpe d’Huez in the summer of 2005. Two cycling aficionados conceived the ambitious goal of scaling the iconic Alpe d’Huez six times in a single day. Far from a leisurely ride, their mission aimed to gather funds for cancer research and support for those living with the disease.
Quickly rallying a small band of like-minded cyclists, they faced skepticism and disbelief—accusations of madness and predictions of failure. Undeterred, they continued their training and fundraising efforts. On June 6, 2006, at 6:06 a.m., they embarked on their journey to defy the doubters. Enduring fatigue, sweltering heat, and muscle cramps, they discovered the power of perseverance and camaraderie, all while adhering to their rallying cry: “Never ever quit!”
By day’s end, nearly all participants had triumphed, ascending the summit six times and raising nearly four hundred thousand euros for the Dutch Cancer Society—a monumental achievement. The challenge of conveying the day’s profound impact led to a determination to extend this effort beyond a singular event, sparking what has grown into an international movement. Today, tens of thousands are engaged, raising hundreds of millions of euros, driven by the sentiment that “Things weren’t going fast enough.”
“Things weren’t going fast enough.”
Questions about how to use the collected donations
Two years later the Alpe d’HuZes founders, together with the Dutch Cancer Society were looking at how best to use the money that had been raised. Their approach was unconventional. It was important, above all, for it to be used to make better, faster treatment, most importantly in the patients’ interests. Therefore, the way the money was spent totally changed. Patients, researchers and clinicians discussed the research that needed to be done on an equal basis.
At first, most of the money went on seeking to improve patients’ lives, with a unique recovery program being set up. However, there was also more needed to be done elsewhere in the world. The founders had no idea, for example, when they were asked, what was being done to help children with cancer in India.
This got them thinking about doing things differently, including the approach towards research. They started talking to leading scientists and reached one all-important conclusion:
The start of Inspire2Live: more focus needed on the patient
There needed to be more of a focus on both healthcare and research on the patients rather than just the disease.
This marked the start of Inspire2Live: an independent, international patient advocate and scholar activist organisation in the fight against cancer.
By making better use of existing knowledge, sharing information and generating new energy and fresh ideas, we are seeking to achieve a break-through in cancer research. Always with one aim: we exist to make cancer care truly patient-centric by heeding the patient’s first three priorities:
We do this by catalysing coalitions of all stakeholders together with patients, by worldwide sharing of energy, intellect and emotion.
Our mindset: if about us not without us
All Inspire2Live activities are performed by achievers with ambitious goals and prepared to put in enormous efforts. The patients’ interests are at the heart of whatever they do, and the focus is always on sharing knowledge and information and on being willing to cooperate. No-one is in it for personal gain. That’s why we’ve adopted the powerful motto of ‘If about us not without us.’
At first, most of the money went on seeking to improve patients’ lives, with a unique recovery program being set up. However, there was also more needed to be done elsewhere in the world. The founders had no idea, for example, when they were asked, what was being done to help children with cancer in India.
Working on our mission with patient advocates and scholar activists
So far Inspire2Live has now over 90 patient advocates and scholar activists from different countries. All are highly motivated and educated: they know what they are talking about and do their work based on science, knowledge and facts. With knowledge and experiences in all areas of cancer research and treatment they approach the stakeholders and work with them and ask them to put ‘Patients first’. They define the strategy of the topic and then start lobbying in politics, government or industry. We use media and communications to contribute towards the realization of our mission.
We keep expanding our reach and impact
We continue to grow our number of patient advocates and scholar activists to increase our influence in putting ‘Patients first’.
Alpe d’HuZes and Inspire2Live have each followed their own path. Alpe d’Huzes is still a successful fundraiser for the Dutch Cancer Society. Inspire2Live has a growing worldwide influence through patient advocacy in many fields, as well as through the World Campus and structured contact with the World Health Organization and its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
