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It's so surreal, I can't believe this has happened. It wasn't more than a few weeks ago that we bumped into each other at the Dec WRL event
As others have mentioned, Michiel was one of the nicest guys you could meet on and off the track. He was a true enthusiast that always went out of his way to provide me guidance.
He battled a terminal diagnosis from the age of 42 of Stage 4 lung cancer caused by a mutation in a gene known as ALK (forgive me, I am a medical dummy and just relaying what he told me), never smoked a day in his life and he was one heck of an athlete. In the last few months, it seems that the cancer he had battled finally made it to his brain and he received the bad news just a couple of weeks ago before Christmas.
this is such sad news. FWIW.. ALK is a fusion between two genes that is formed in a process called a translocation ( i study this) that is almost found exclusively in young non-smokers. The fusion gene is highly activated as an enzyme and causes the disease. We have three very good drugs targeted directly at ALK fusion proteins, but the gene quickly mutates to become resistant to the drugs. The median survival is about 20 months , so he did very well and clearly was a fighter....prayers sent
What an incredible shame. Never met or had contact with him, but if you look at the opening post to this thread, it's very clear what an amazing person he was and how much he wanted to share. That's an impressive collection and presentation of work.
Sincere condolences to his family for their profound loss.
Guys, it's really heart warming to see the surge of sentiment from the group towards Michiel. He was an amazing human being and a role model for dealing with a scenario like this. It's been an epic battle for he and his family, and the final chapter has come to a close. As sad as I am to have lost a good friend, I'm focused on what I can learn from his example and how I can enrich my life and my relationship with my own family.
When I have the details of what the family would like to happen and how this community can show their condolences, I'll give y'all an update. I do know the service is coming up on the 21st in San Antonio, and I do know it was his wish for friends to focus their condolences at ASPCA or The Humane Society. I should know more in the next couple of days. Please PM me with your email if think you would like to attend the service. I do not know at this time how large of a service they would like, so...I don't need to say more I guess. Cheers Guys.
They are open to having more people show up. The service is in San Antonio TX, and will be Saturday the 21st. Please PM me with your email address and I will send you more info on location and dress code.
Michiel, rest in peace, my friend. I was friends with him on FB and at the track. Great guy and an inspiration to everyone who met him. I was asked to give him a ride when he was thinking about getting into track days, so I'm happy I played a small part in getting him hooked on our shared passion.
Michiel was one of the good ones. Always dedicated to the true automotive passion, and the few times we have chatted in regards to his cars he left a mark. I remember the last time we spoke we were chatting about his headlights blowing out on track, seems like yesterday...hard to hear he has moved on.
I've made this sign below for his family, and thought it would be nice to send on behalf all of us here on the Rennlist community that he has impacted. The sticky notes represent the text I plan on having laser etched onto those locations on Monday. Still some time to make some changes....thoughts/opinions?
It's the least I could do. Here is the final sign and letter, from all of us to them. Shipped out yesterday 2-day and with luck they should have it before the service. If you make it there please give his family my best.
01-09-2017, 01:54 PM
