Utrecht, 7 November 2023 - Benelux's largest do-it-yourself (DIY) event, KreaDoe, is raising a record amount for the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology in Utrecht with its 34th edition. Jaarbeurs is committed to the Máxima's mission: to cure every child with cancer with optimal quality of life. KreaDoe attracted over 45,000 visitors to Royal Jaarbeurs over the past five days. Exhibitor Age Yska of edding: "It was once again a big party at KreaDoe, the fair where creativity fizzles and ideas sparkle. For us, this event is the meeting place where we inspire creative people every year. Together, we make the world a little more beautiful."
Marleen Rompen, exhibition manager: "Not only did KreaDoe highlight the creativity of visitors this year, we collectively made a significant impact by raising more than twice the amount for the Prinses Máxima Centre. This shows our visitors' commitment to supporting this research hospital." At KreaDoe, there was also a special focus on visitors with invisible conditions.
KreaDoe visitors raise over 13,000 euros for the Princess Máxima Centre
Visitors at KreaDoe enjoyed a varied range of workshops, activities and performances by well-known influencer CreaChick and Karin Bloemen, among others. Visitors could also once again take part in the special KreaDoe Bingo, with all proceeds going to the Princess Máxima Centre for paediatric oncology. The amount raised from this bingo and donations from the webshop will contribute to creative activities for the children and families in the Máxima, among other things. "The activities offered at the Máxima provide distraction, strengthen contact between children and parents and reduce stress. We are very grateful that the visitors of Kreadoe have so generously contributed to this, because these activities are not reimbursed by health insurers," says Nienke Beek, Corporate Partnerships Prinses Máxima Centre.
Jaarbeurs joins Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Since this autumn, Jaarbeurs has joined the so-called Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network. A green keycord with sunflowers is becoming increasingly popular in the travel and events industry. It is a signal that the wearer has an invisible disability and would like some extra time and attention. By joining the network, the Utrecht event venue shows that Jaarbeurs is a place where people with invisible disabilities, get support when they want and need it. Marleen Rompen: "Visiting a major event can be quite challenging for people with invisible conditions who need extra on-site support. I am proud of the fact that at Jaarbeurs we can recognise visitors with hidden disabilities and provide extra support." Initial reactions from visitors wearing the keycord with sunflowers were positive. For example, one visitor says: "Completely unexpectedly, I was at Kreadoe today. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable and visibly wearing a sunflower."
The new date for KreaDoe is now known, Wednesday 30 October to 3 November 2024. Visitors will not have to wait long, as there will be another special edition of the KreaDoe Spring Festival from Friday 19 April to Sunday 21 April.
About Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology
The Princess Máxima Centre's mission is to cure every child with cancer, with optimal quality of life. Every year, around 600 children are diagnosed with cancer. Still 1 in 4 children die from this disease. At Máxima, all children with cancer in the Netherlands are treated and research into childhood cancer takes place here. This makes the Princess Máxima Centre for Paediatric Oncology in Utrecht the largest paediatric cancer centre in Europe. Over 900 healthcare professionals and 450 researchers work closely together with Dutch and international hospitals on better treatments and new perspectives for a cure.
About Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is an international advocacy organisation for people with invisible disabilities. Royal Jaarbeurs and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower have been working together since this autumn. Employees at Jaarbeurs have been trained to recognise the Sunflower Keycord, which they can use to help make visits by people with hidden disabilities more enjoyable.
