October 2024 is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness about breast cancer. With the support of organizations like Pink Ribbon, we aim to raise funds for research and support, helping create new treatments to save lives.
To contribute to this important mission, we’ve designed a beautiful earring for Pink Ribbon.
Maud van Oossanen, a long-time friend of Franka, was just 23 when her life was turned upside down. As the world was grappling with COVID-19, Maud received the devastating news that she had breast cancer. This diagnosis changed her health and future completely.
When Maud’s boyfriend felt a lump, she initially didn’t take action, never imagining it could be serious. However, months later, in March, she visited her doctor. As Mark Rutte was announcing COVID restrictions, Maud received a call from the hospital.
What did COVID mean in such a period?
COVID made everything unpredictable. The world stopped for everyone, but for Maud, it came to a complete halt. At a young age, she had to make tough decisions about fertility and undergo IVF treatment, which was emotionally and physically exhausting.
“I lived in constant fear for three months, thinking I wouldn’t survive,” Maud shares. During the lockdown, she was cut off from loved ones, making the isolation especially difficult while battling her illness.
“Fortunately, I was in quarantine with my boyfriend, Tim, in a lovely home,” she says. Maud’s mother also chose to quarantine with her, providing the love and care Maud so desperately needed. “Having her there to hug and support me was invaluable,” Maud recalls.
There were beautiful moments too
Amidst the hardship, there were still moments of joy. Maud remembers, “The summer of 2020, strangely enough, was beautiful. Despite being so sick, I stayed connected with family and friends. The warm weather meant they could visit me, though at a distance.”
But the summer of 2021 was one of the best she ever had. Spending so much time with loved ones made her deeply aware of how precious life is. Maud was surrounded by gifts, attention, and flowers. But as time went on, these gestures lessened, even stopped.
“When you're ill, everyone asks how you are, but when you're better, things return to ‘normal,’” Maud reflects. This shows the importance of asking how people are truly doing, even after the crisis has passed. Life is unpredictable, but even in times of illness and sadness, there is room for love and hope.
Together with Pink Ribbon, we are committed to supporting a better quality of life for those affected by cancer, like Maud, both during and after their journey. Will you join us in this mission?
