25 June 2026
Charity partnership drives strong Tour de Pancreas results
What began as an emotional journey by a group of friends honouring Eck Roosen’s final wish has become a major sporting event in the fight against pancreatic cancer. In 2025, Stichting Eck Roosen and Support Casper together achieved a record fundraising total.
A mission born from helplessness
Eck Roosen’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis changed his family’s life in 2018. The lack of effective options and the disease’s very low survival rate affected them deeply. Eck was determined that this should change, and the family discussed establishing a foundation before he died.
Eck’s brother Martijn explains: "During one of our earlier, small-scale trips to Mont Ventoux, Eck asked Jochem, his brother-in-law and me to join the foundation he wanted to establish. We formally created it at the hospice in Voorburg in July 2019, just over six weeks before he died."
Eck Roosen Foundation was founded with a clear goal: to raise money for pancreatic cancer research, so that future patients get a fair chance.
The mountain of Eck
Mont Ventoux was a natural setting for the event. "It is a special place for us," says Eck’s friend and foundation chair Jochem Schellens. "We were here together shortly before he died, and this is where the idea for the foundation took shape. He gave us a mission: raise as much money as possible."
The climb takes place close to Eck’s birthday each year. An intimate tribute by close friends has grown into a substantial event, while the family’s involvement remains at its heart.
Eck’s wife Barbara says: "He left us something wonderful. He could only have dreamt that it would become this big."
Cooperation with Support Casper
A decisive step came when Stichting Eck Roosen partnered with Support Casper. The Roosen family brought its inspiration and close community; Support Casper added a national platform and a clear scientific destination for the proceeds: Professor Casper van Eijck’s pioneering pancreatic cancer research.
Martijn says: "Jochem knew Support Casper director Sjoerd Zwanenburg through work, and that connection began the partnership. We brought an international cycling event that Support Casper did not yet have. We collaborate closely while each organisation retains its own identity, and together we are much stronger."
The partnership helped Tour de Pancreas grow in both participation and impact. Its fifth edition in 2025 set a new fundraising record.
Future Tour de Pancreas
Tour de Pancreas has raised more than €700,000 since it began. The organisers now want to preserve the event’s close-knit atmosphere while developing it professionally and increasing its contribution to pancreatic cancer research.
Barbara says: "Eck dreamed of raising as much money as possible while also supporting families and bereaved relatives. Tour de Pancreas fulfils that dream: it raises vital funds and, for many participants, the experience also brings a degree of healing."