On November 24, 2024 our daughter Emma passed away at the age of 27. She had suffered from epilepsy for over 12 years. We have set up a collection box in her memory. Please give generously to help advance research into epilepsy and to help provide support to epilepsy patients and their loved ones. We would greatly appreciate it if you would make a donation at https://epilepsie.digicollect.nl/maarten-de-rijke and share the link. Thank you!
Update (January 13, 2025)
- This week, on January 18, there will be a remembrance party (“herdenkingsborrel”) organized by Emma’s friends to come together, connect, exchange memories and raise a glass to Emma’s memory and to help raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation (“Epilepsiefonds“) through Emma’s collection box. Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/cqvBzAzTK1.
Update (December 24, 2024)
- It has been one month today since Emma passed away. It doesn’t feel like things are getting better. Every new day is worse than the previous. There’s a deepening sense of loss as the reality continues to sink in. We’ve adopted a lot of slow goodbye rituals. They help somewhat. But what really keeps us afloat is our social structure. We are very grateful for the overwhelming and heartwarming outpouring of support and sympathy from so many of you and in so many different ways and for the opportunities that have come our way to help others.
The response to our appeal for funding for epilepsy has been beyond our imagination. Over 250 people have now contributed over 15000 euro. Thank you so much!
Update (December 11, 2024)
- In just a week since we opened this appeal, over 200 people have donated over 8000 euro. Thank you so much for your generosity and support for this cause! Many of you contributed anonymously, so we are not able to thank you individually, but thank you so much for your donations. We really appreciate them.
Update (December 8, 2024)
- Our online condolence book for Emma: https://www.uitvaartverzorgingmyosotis.nl/condoleance/24699
Update (December 6, 2024)
- An in memoriam for Emma published by Leiden University, where she was a student enrolled in the MA Asian Studies program: In Memoriam: Emma de Rijke