High honor for ‘the mother of the Máxima Center’, Hanneke de Ridder

During the SKION conference on Thursday, September 16, Hanneke de Ridder-Sluiter was completely surprised by an ‘unscheduled speaker’, the deputy mayor of her hometown of Leiden. She received a high royal decoration from the deputy mayor, who said: ‘For your many exceptional achievements, which in the Netherlands have led to a major improvement in care for children with cancer and to the bringing together of knowledge and expertise in the realization of the Máxima Center, His Majesty King Willem-Alexander has been pleased to appoint you Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.’

In her speech, Deputy Mayor Damen emphasized: ‘The social importance of Hanneke de Ridder’s work is truly enormous and cannot be stressed enough. At the same time, she always puts herself second in the greater interest of children with cancer. As selfless as a mother is for her child, Hanneke de Ridder is ‘the mother of the Máxima Center’.’

Driving force

Deputy Mayor Damen said: ‘More than ten years ago, parents and care professionals took the initiative to establish one national pediatric oncology center instead of the seven that existed across the country. Ms. De Ridder (1955) was one of the driving forces behind the opening in 2018 of the largest childhood cancer center in Europe in terms of both care and research, the Princess Máxima Center in Utrecht. This was the culmination of the passionate work of many people over many years. She was an indispensable link who repeatedly brought together professionals, patient representatives and many other parties. Although many believed it to be impossible, it proved achievable in part thanks to her efforts: bringing together all experts and expertise in one national center, ensuring that every child with cancer has access to the best treatment team and that every dollar for childhood cancer research is spent as effectively as possible.’

Development-oriented care

‘In addition to her governance roles in this process, she was particularly committed to establishing what is known as development-oriented care (OGZ). This means that a child’s development and that of their family should continue as well as possible, despite the very serious diagnosis and the intensive and long-term treatment. Hanneke de Ridder made an exceptionally strong contribution in this area, which resulted in many additional facilities for parents and children, the organization of numerous activities and the design of the center. Not without reason, the Princess Máxima Center has the mission: to cure every child with cancer, with the best possible quality of life.’

A deeply surprised Hanneke de Ridder dedicated her royal decoration to all the children of the Máxima Center.