Lots of happy faces on the TT Circuit today. There was the annual event Circuit Day Against Cancer on the road. Young sick children could forget all their worries for a day and enjoy thick sports cars, Dakar cars and many more special vehicles.
It is the eighteenth edition of the event, in which about 150 families with a child affected by cancer participate. The intention is that they can put aside the problems surrounding the illness of their child, brother or sister. And the child who has been diagnosed with the disease can feel like a child again for a while.
One of those children who attended today is Naomi Zjita. It was very special for her, because she was allowed to sleep on the circuit with her parents. “I didn’t sleep, but that’s because of the nerves,” says Naomi.
And those nerves make sense. Because the whole day is all about doing fun things. What 9-year-old Naomi was most looking forward to? “Race cars,” she says decisively.
After she comes out of the make-up, the supercar already waiting for her: a bright blue Alpine. Bravely she gets in, but still lets the driver know: “Not too fast, though.” Just wave to the family, and she’s gone.
A few minutes later, the race car returns and Naomi steps out with a big smile. “It was super fun, but it went fast in the corners,” she tells her mother, who admires her moment of happiness. “It’s just nice to relax and have fun, but also to talk to people you know from the hospital and share your story,” says Marjon Zijta-Nijhuis.
The track day is organized by the foundation Against Cancer. “It is important that children have a distraction from time to time and that can also be a boost give to the healing process,” says chairman Patrick Boxem. “Actually, you see a lot of children who can be children again. And all those experiences they go through often yield a lot of emotion, together with beautiful stories. And that big smile that appears, that’s what we do it for.”
Boxem is also going to enjoy himself. “I started here as a driver twelve years ago and since I became involved in the organization, I have not driven anymore. But this afternoon I am also going to drive a lap myself with a number of children. I am really looking forward to that. To those children to give you a smile.”
RTV Drenthe took a look at the TT Circuit this morning. Watch the video below to see Naomi get out of the race car.