About Nicolette Kluijver

Suddenly it was there. That message. That you feel all day that something bad happened. And it was true. A young woman has cancer. A woman with a nice husband and three small children. And a whole life ahead of her. That should be the case.

I met Nicolette Kluijver a few times in my life. Once at RTL Late Night and another time at Schiphol, on the way to this nice trip. Backpack on with her work stuff in it, the tripod of the camerawoman under her arm. She talked about her children: her daughter and the twins. It was busy, but how fun. And how wonderful when you can work and go for it. Her phone rang. She had to take that. The item they were filming was going to be featured tonight on RTL Boulevard. Energy and zest for life, that is Nicolette. With a sparkle of champagne around her.

And then suddenly you have cancer. Lung cancer. And do you know what happens then? Then people ask if you have smoked a lot. Dear people, she did not smoke. Not everyone with liver cancer had a drinking problem and not everyone with lung cancer smoked two packs a day. Then you already have cancer and then everyone insinuates as if you somehow brought it upon yourself. Would you like everyone who asks you this question to write punishment lines on my behalf / put in the corner / douse with a bucket of ice water? Shall we agree on that? And in the meantime, shall we light candles for Nicolette? Deal? Deal.