Margot Heirendt was officially appointed head of the Cancer Foundation on April 2, 2024. Under her leadership, the Cancer Foundation intends to continue and strengthen its actions in the fight against cancer.
How did you come to take charge of the Cancer Foundation Luxembourg and what motivated you to accept this new challenge?
After 13 years with the National Children’s Office, including 2 years as deputy director, I wanted a new challenge while continuing to invest in missions that give meaning. Joining the Cancer Foundation was therefore an obvious choice for me.
What are the priorities that you have set for the Luxembourg Cancer Foundation since you took over?
Our priorities will remain centered on our three main missions: information, aid and research. Inform the general public about the healthy lifestyle to adopt, the importance of prevention, as well as available screenings, the different types of cancer, treatments and offer support to patients. Finally, continue to support research in order to advance the fight against cancer, reduce the number of people affected and, at a minimum, offer them a better quality of life thanks to new treatments.
The Cancer Foundation Luxembourg celebrates Pink October every year to raise awareness about breast cancer. What are the key actions planned for this 2024 edition?
For the 2024 edition of Pink October, we are publishing a special report on antihormonal therapy including advice for living better with side effects. In addition, we are organizing a conference on the subject of managing weight gain with hormone therapy.
We are also planning a digital information campaign about breast cancer in Luxembourg and the screening program.
As part of our Business program, we will organize information conferences on the theme in the form of Lunch & Learn.
What are the challenges that the Cancer Foundation Luxembourg is currently facing and how do you plan to address them?
The challenges we face unfortunately still remain the same. As long as people have cancer, we will continue to inform, help and support. For this, the research aspect is very close to our hearts, given that it is the key to one day being able to, hopefully, cure all cancers.
Supporting patients and their loved ones is a key mission of the Foundation. What services and programs are available to patients and their families?
The Cancer Foundation can – thanks to the generosity of donors – offer a multitude of free aid to patients and their loved ones, onco-psychological, onco-dietetic, onco-aesthetic support, reflexology sessions, family and financial aid. , support, sophrology and sports groups.
How does the Cancer Foundation Luxembourg collaborate with other organizations, both nationally and internationally, to strengthen its impact in the fight against cancer?
The Cancer Foundation is a founding member of the National Cancer Institute, CAPAT (Cercle of Patient Associations), FLASS (Luxembourg Federation of Health Sports Associations) and Don en Confiance asbl.
At the national level, we are in regular contact with the Health Department, particularly regarding tobacco control. At the level of political contacts, it is mainly a question of advocacy to reveal the shortcomings of the care and/or aid system and to defend the interests of patients so that the patient journey improves and that patients are better supported.
At the international level, contacts are focused on sharing information, best practices or European partnerships to implement projects in Luxembourg which have already proven themselves in another European country. We are members of ECL (European Cancer League) and ENSP (European Network of Smoking Prevention).
How can readers of our magazine support the Cancer Foundation Luxembourg and contribute to the fight against cancer?
The Cancer Foundation is 93.3% funded thanks to the generosity of its donors. Only 6.7% of its financing is of state origin.
Without the support of our donors, we would not be able to carry out our missions. Each donation collected is invested in the fight against cancer, either to create information and prevention campaigns, or to put in place concrete aid for patients, or to support cancer research.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Cancer Foundation, to thank all readers who are already donors and those who will commit to the Cancer Foundation’s missions.
The Cancer Foundation collects donations from readers on its website Cancer.lu
