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OUR MISSION

To take the fear out of cancer, and replace it with hope and strength! 

We want to raise lots of money so we can fund promising and ground-breaking cancer research. Cancer shouldn’t be a potential death sentence, but something that can be cured. Or at least make it as manageable as, say, hay fever. Ambitious? Of course. But, hey - it takes just one seed to plant a rainforest, one drop of rain to end a drought, and one cent to reach a research funding milestone. 

That’s why we created a massive donate button, a wonderful webshop with tools to support cancer patients and their relatives, and a stunning action page to help you turn your energy into cherries that will eventually contribute to curing cancer!
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OUR FOUNDATION

Cherries on Top was started by five friends, one of whom was diagnosed with cancer. We had two choices: rely on others to save our friend, or do everything within our power to raise funds that would help find a cure for cancer. We went for the second option, and that’s how Cherries on Top was born. 

The five friends and board members are:
Erik_COT_Large_eb26cb88-ab82-4124-a436-3e20889d2859Erikgek_COT_Large_a49af58c-de98-4480-89eb-9fee91496638
Hey there! I’m Erik, the creative go-getter on this incredible board. Picture me, every morning, fuelled by inspiration and bursting with cool ideas. But one morning, my world took an unexpected turn. My rockstar wife Jany, was hit with a cancer diagnosis. Yet, nothing, I mean nothing, can snuff out our determination to add a sparkling Cherry on Top to each day. Here at Cherries on Top, my mission revolves around dreaming up ingenious ways to fund groundbreaking cancer research while keeping all our ducks in a row. I can't wait to wake up to a world where cancer isn't constantly hogging the spotlight. Let's join forces and make that world a reality!
Erik van der Ven
Chairman
Kees_COT_Large_620c4618-bd55-4bab-b197-165403cfeac2Keesgek_COT_Large_1655ae9b-f580-45f8-b3cc-cf6795fbd4c6
Hey there! I'm Kees, engineer by profession, and in my downtime, you'll catch me in my shed, building furniture or motorcycles. When I heard about Jany's cancer diagnosis, I wished I could grab a sledgehammer and kick that thing out of her brain. But let's face it, sledgehammer therapy isn't the answer. That's where Cherries on Top stepped in, and I jumped right in to help. I handle all the secretary work for our international cancer foundation and take care of the production process of our webshop. But if you see any cancer that I can hit with my hammer, give me a call, because I’ll give it my all.
Kees Vedder
Administrator
Jany_COT_Large_448046c3-0e41-405a-8149-f8bb1076c98eJanygek_COT_Large_a4d2575c-f1d0-47df-a106-a02ca2f081f9
Hey there! I’m Jany, and I am diagnosed with a brain tumor. I’m also blessed with the best friends in the world! So when I got diagnosed with cancer, not only did my whole world change but so did theirs. I just turned 29 and became a mom just a few weeks earlier. We realized that this wasn’t just my problem. We’re all in this together. That’s why we came up with Cherries on Top, to empower everybody to make a difference. Together with my friends, I’m here to help you contribute to a cancer-free world.
Jany van der Ven
Motivator
Remon_COT_Large_1ea1533b-9f88-4a2c-9f98-8b41496fad5eRemongek_COT_Large_3fa8d4a9-b3a8-4695-90c1-a63a56cfae07
Hey there! I'm Rémon, the project management pro and a thriller novelist on the side. But let me tell you, Jany's cancer diagnosis beats any plot twist I've ever penned. As much as I'd love to write a killer death threat to cancer, it's not that kind of story. At Cherries on Top, I'm taking care of all the financial work. With my awesome bookkeeping partner from Count for You, I'm making sure every cent fuels the best cancer research. And mark my words, when the day arrives that cancer is history (and it will!), I'll be there, writing its final farewell chapter with gusto!
Rémon Saaltink
Finance
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Hey there! I'm Eline, a professional singer and digital creator. Singing is my passion, whether it's on YouTube, in the shower, or even on my bike (yes, I’m very Dutch). Jany's cancer diagnosis took my breath away, but I couldn't cure her myself. Instead, I channel my creativity through Cherries on Top, designing everything from our shop and social media to newsletters and videos. Together, we're making cancer sing a different tune. Join us as we shine brighter than cancer ever could!
Eline Vera de Reus
Design
None of the board members are compensated in any way for their participation. The board meets regularly to take necessary decisions, sharpen our strategy and deal with the various matters that come with the territory when you run a global foundation. If decisions are put to the vote, only a majority will suffice. All members have a single, equal vote. As a result, no individual can decide how Cherries on Top allocates its funds. 

Our first-hand experience of a C-diagnosis gave us lots of new insights. One was that it can be tough to find the right words of encouragement in a situation that is so unpredictable. Cancer often triggers fear and sadness, whereas you actually want to build strength and hope. That’s what we aim to do.
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Overhead costs, like maintaining and developing the Cherries on Top platform, are covered by hard work from many volunteers, wonderful partners and sponsors, and from our web shop. That’s something we are extremely proud of.

SPONSORS

We’re able to keep our overhead costs extremely low because of wonderful sponsors who share the same vision as we do. With more fantastic support like this, we’ll continue to fund research aimed at taming cancer. 

Thank you cherry much to each of them! Without these great companies we wouldn’t be anywhere near to having the scale of operation we currently do.
HouseOfHalo
Weltronic
SielOnline
CountForYou
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Tomahawk
EnergieBalans
NewFive

COLLABORATORS

We're proud to collaborate with the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) to fund the most promising and groundbreaking cancer studies. They do all the nitty-gritty work of selecting, tracking, and evaluating projects that get funded by Cherries on Top.
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ANBI (PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION) STATUS

Cherries on Top is based in the Netherlands and has been granted ANBI (public benefit organization) status. This gives Dutch companies and donors tax benefits when they make a donation. You can find out more about our ANBI status here or visit this link to view our public registration.