Foca Run donates €36,370 to CRIG research led by Prof. Dr. Tessa Kerre
On Wednesday, November 26, 2025, the organizers of the Foca Run, together with several volunteers, presented a cheque for €36,370 to Prof. Dr. Tessa Kerre, Head of the Hematology Department at Ghent University Hospital (UZ Gent). This amount represents the full proceeds from the third edition of the Foca Run, which once again brought together hundreds of runners and supporters in late June 2025 to raise funds in the fight against cancer.
Prof. Dr. Kerre highlighted during the handover how valuable support from society is for medical research:
“This support really makes a difference for our research. It is often a challenge to find sufficient funds to start new and promising research projects. Before being competitive for major project funding, results from earlier work are often required. Finding funding for this kind of preliminary research is a big challenge. The research that bridges basic science and clinical studies in patients is also often not funded,” said Prof. Dr. Tessa Kerre.
She continued:
“Thanks to initiatives such as the Foca Run, we can provide such promising projects with crucial seed funding, allowing us to make progress that ultimately leads to better treatments and higher quality of life for people affected by cancer. We are very grateful for the trust placed in us.”
The funds will — after internal coordination within the department — be used for research projects within the Hematology Department, with a focus on innovative treatment methods, fundamental research, and patient-oriented improvements in care for young people with serious blood diseases.
Local Solidarity as a Driver for Progress
During the cheque presentation, Prof. Dr. Kerre also emphasized the importance of societal involvement: “Events like the Foca Run show how powerful local solidarity can be. Every euro raised supports innovation and helps us take steps forward in patient care. It is heartwarming to see a community rally behind this cause.”
