Providing seriously ill people with a beautiful, carefree day. That is the goal of Leny van Zundert from Etten-Leur. With her foundation Nu Jij! she has been providing special pampering days for eleven years. That is why Leny is in the running for the title of Brabander of the Year.
Vote for Leny or view all nominees on our special voting page.
Driving a Ferrari, being treated by a beautician or a wonderful massage. Leny does everything she can to give people who are seriously ill a carefree day out. “There are a lot of people who need it,” Leny explains. “People who are sick deserve not to have to think about their illness for a day.”
“It is a day when everything is allowed and nothing is required.”
Leny works in a salon that specializes in fitting hairpieces for people with cancer. The stories of the people who come there make a great impression. “I spoke to so many seriously ill people, I had to do something with that. That’s when I came up with the idea of organizing pampering days.”
A few times a year she holds all kinds of activities in a beautiful place. From a flower arranging workshop to a manicure and an extensive lunch. “It is a day when everything is allowed and nothing is required.”
“When I see someone smile on a pampering day, I think it’s great.”
Leny was diagnosed with breast cancer nine years ago. When she was healed, she founded the Nu Jij! foundation out of gratitude for her second chance. on.
Leny knows from personal experience how important relaxation is when you are ill. “Cancer has a very intense presence in your life, it doesn’t just stop when the treatments are over. But you should also be able to relax, I think. When I see someone smile on a pampering day, I think it’s great.”
“It’s good to be busy with something other than being sick.”
In recent years, Leny has organized a pampering day for hundreds of sick people. Carla Theunis participated twice. “I was able to drive a sports car and take part in a craft workshop. It’s good to be busy with something other than being sick.”
Dorin Machielsen agrees. “A day of carefree enjoyment was very important to me. You don’t think about anything for a moment,” she concludes with a laugh.
Curious who the other nominees are? You can read their stories here.