Who are you?
My name is Astrid Bitzer. At twenty, I moved from the Achterhoek in the Netherlands to the U.S. for love. Tennis is my biggest passion, and I spend a lot of time at my local sports club. In 2022, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Along with tubular and ductal breast cancer, a year later I also learned I had lobular breast cancer. That was a shock, especially since I lost my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to the same disease. When I realized how many women face this and how little is known about it, I knew I wanted to take action.
What happened next?
Through my care team, I heard about a medical conference on lobular breast cancer. There I met Prof. Patrick Derksen, founder of the European Lobular Breast Cancer Consortium, Dr. Thijs Koorman, medical biologist, and Esther Geven, patient advocate for ELBCA. I was impressed by their research at UMC Utrecht, and we stayed in touch.
They told me about their work studying how lobular breast cancer cells can remain dormant — with the goal of helping patients live with metastatic disease as a chronic condition. Because lobular breast cancer is under-researched, funding is hard to secure.
During a family visit to the Netherlands, I met the team in person at UMC Utrecht, including Rian Terveer-Couperus. I left inspired and, once back in the U.S., started Lob the Ball.
What is “Lob the Ball”?
Lob the Ball is my way to combine tennis with a mission: funding research on lobular breast cancer. As a member of my local golf and tennis club, I organize an annual event to raise money.
The idea came on the court, hence the name, a nod to the tennis “lob.” It’s a day of sports, community, and awareness, with proceeds supporting research at UMC Utrecht.
For me, it’s a way to turn my love for tennis into something that makes a difference. Through my website and social channels, I also share information about early detection and awareness of lobular breast cancer.
It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to progress in such an overlooked area.
What makes it different?
I wanted to create something that combines fun with purpose. The day includes tennis, lunch, music, an auction, and information about the research we support. Everyone is welcome: players, supporters, and visitors alike.
Funds come from ticket sales and sponsorships, supporting Project Pearl at the Derksen Lab. This project studies how lobular breast cancer cells can stay dormant for years and what causes them to become active again. Early results are promising.
What message do you want to share?
Stay aware of your body, talk about lobular breast cancer, and support research in any way you can. Even small actions can make a difference.
When you support Lob the Ball or the Dutch Lobular Breast Cancer Foundation, your donation directly funds research and education on lobular breast cancer.
My dream is a better outlook for patients and how great would it be if, one day, tennis clubs everywhere played for the same cause?
