On the deathbed of his daughter Kim (37), Jan van Kessel (70) promised to make a song for her. Last Friday ‘Cheers to You!’ was published. Fortunately, he completes that mission on time. Jan became critically ill and is now fighting for his life. He hopes to raise as much money as possible for fellow sufferers with the song. “I hope people get support and strength from the song.”
“Fantastic, we have been working on it for six years,” says a visibly emotional Jan from his hospital bed in the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven. He was diagnosed with acute leukemia last March. Since then, I’ve been in and out of the hospital.
A tough and difficult time with one very important bright spot. Published on May 29 ‘Cheers to You!’an ode to his deceased daughter Kim. “It came out on our wedding day. I’m so happy with it.”
Breast cancer
Kim died in 2020 at the age of 37 from breast cancer. She had a daughter, Luna (now 19). Jan promised Kim to record a song for her on her deathbed. “Yes dad, you should do that!” was her enthusiastic response.
He started working with a producer and six years later the song was finally released. “It has become a very beautiful song, it does justice to Kim and Kim’s spirit.”
“I will celebrate life, I will turn everything upside down here.”
Fé van Kessel (no relation) eventually sang the song. Jan and Fé have the same birthday and that means a lot to Jan. “That was an extra confirmation that she would be perfect to sing the song.” Kim’s life motto can clearly be heard in the song. Two of the last sentences read: “I will celebrate life, I will turn everything upside down here”.
Jan has a special profession. He makes funeral coffins. As a young boy he played hide and seek among the coffins in his grandfather and father’s factory. Last March he decided to take it easy. He wants to go from working five days a week to three days a week. In the same week, disaster strikes. He becomes seriously ill. He ended up in hospital four days before his seventieth birthday.
“Now that I am battling acute leukemia myself, it is my greatest wish to raise as much money as possible for the foundation with this song No Guts No Glory. This foundation gives people affected by cancer and their loved ones a musical bright spot during this difficult phase. I hope people donate, but especially that they get support and strength from this song.”
After four days, his fundraising campaign has already reached 3,000 euros, but Jan hopes to raise at least 10,000 euros. Despite his poor prospects, he remains remarkably positive about his own future. Just like his daughter Kim was. “Staying positive is the best medicine.”
Special funeral coffin
Jan is very skilled at his work. In 2013 he was one of the first in the Netherlands to create one special football box for a deceased superfan of FC Eindhoven. .
