Yep, sad news 
. Hopefully he makes a good recovery! I know a few people who were in a similar scenario that came out ok, so fingers crossed for Ruben!
p.s. Please let this be yet another reminder to all to live life to the fullest! You never know what's around the corner.
Yep, shocked me, I actually thought it was a stupid joke at first glance... I just hope he gets back out there, he's a nice guy.
Select to expand quotefor those who can't use fb at work:
<div>
<div>Ruben Lenten reveals he is battling cancer
26 August 2015 | Kiteboarding
The Dutch kiteboarder explained that he wasn't feeling well lately. Lenten wrote that he had "a really strange pain in the chest and in my throat," so he decided to see a doctor.The specialist checked his heart, lungs and blood pressure and everything seemed to be okay. So, Lenten and his girlfriend Nikki traveled to California to visit friends and embark on new adventures."Unfortunately, the pain in my chest and throat increased, and I knew something wasn't right. So I went to the St Louise Hospital in Gilroy to get things checked out," unveiled Ruben Lenten."After doing an X-ray they saw an inflammation in my chest and wanted to follow up with a CT scan. Twenty minutes later our world got turned upside down: 'Sir, we've got some bad news. You've got a mass of about 9x9 centimeters by the heart. You need to see an oncologist as soon as possible since it's in a very sensitive area'"At Stanford Hospital, doctors told Ruben Lenten that he had a type of lymphoma that can be treated and that the problem hadn't spread anywhere else in his body."I really want to focus on my treatment and recovery, and I am very curious to find out what type it is and how aggressive. I'll take it as a gift with a difficult task at hand but with a wonderful outcome if we do this right," added Lenten.The kiteboarder believes his insurance will hopefully cover the treatment, but the MaiTai community has also kicked off a fundraiser to help him pay the battle against cancer.
get out there and live a good life people!!
I've said before, he jaunt can't seem to catch a break, health-wide... Big pile of bull**** that he's in need of donations for health costs
Select to expand quotebene313 said...
^ Seriously?
In his defence, I think he meant it is "it's crap that professional riders aren't provided with the top grade insurance" rather than he shouldn't be asking for donations. Or at least that's the way I read it
Select to expand quoteSaffer said...bene313 said...
^ Seriously?
In his defence, I think he meant it is "it's crap that professional riders aren't provided with the top grade insurance" rather than he shouldn't be asking for donations. Or at least that's the way I read it
Red bull will cover his medical bills, also he will be assured of the finest doctors on the planet, he'd be one of the fittest blokes around, he also eats incredibly healthy, you'd class him more as an athlete , cancer doesn't discriminate unfortunately , he will have plenty of support to aid his recovery,
note that Ruben didnt set up the page, Susi Mai did-
Saying something like "ohh his sponsors will pay" is a bit of a stretch,
Select to expand quoteSaffer said...bene313 said...
^ Seriously?
In his defence, I think he meant it is "it's crap that professional riders aren't provided with the top grade insurance" rather than he shouldn't be asking for donations. Or at least that's the way I read it
Exactly... Surprising anyone could take it any other way, but there you go.
Select to expand quotetomme said...
note that Ruben didnt set up the page, Susi Mai did-
Saying something like "ohh his sponsors will pay" is a bit of a stretch,
Why, they'd be obliged to, hadlow was treated to the finest surgeons on the planet for his knee by redbull, and he's no where near as high a profile , Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting, if you read his ( hadlows) article in kiteworld on his injury, treatment and recovery, red bull have elite professionals at their disposal, look at the damage it did to confidis , lance armstrongs sponsors, when they pulled the pin on him during his cancer battle, cost them a lot more than hospital bills, ( although he didn't deserve it), red bull have a big image and huge wealth, Ruben helps drive that , and they won't sit there and not get involved, along with other sponsors, for their brand Lenten is the man
I've only met him once and that was a chance encounter on the beach when he helped land my kite.
A real honest down to earth guy was the impression i got from that encounter and that has set in stone my opinion of him.
I wish him well and a speedy fight to recovery.
Met him once too, a couple of years ago down at Danger, had a beer with him, nice guy, hope all goes well and he's still kiting when he's my age !
Select to expand quotecauncy said..
tomme said...
note that Ruben didnt set up the page, Susi Mai did-
Saying something like "ohh his sponsors will pay" is a bit of a stretch,
Why, they'd be obliged to, hadlow was treated to the finest surgeons on the planet for his knee by redbull, and he's no where near as high a profile , Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting, if you read his ( hadlows) article in kiteworld on his injury, treatment and recovery, red bull have elite professionals at their disposal, look at the damage it did to confidis , lance armstrongs sponsors, when they pulled the pin on him during his cancer battle, cost them a lot more than hospital bills, ( although he didn't deserve it), red bull have a big image and huge wealth, Ruben helps drive that , and they won't sit there and not get involved, along with other sponsors, for their brand Lenten is the man
There's an episode of that show he did with Hadlow.... He goes to the Red Bull hospital for his ankle or whatever it was. Looked pretty comprehensive (even had psychologist interviews -- Red Bull wants nutters, not psychos?!) but I don't know if they did cancer.
Select to expand quoteKamikuza said..cauncy said..
tomme said...
note that Ruben didnt set up the page, Susi Mai did-
Saying something like "ohh his sponsors will pay" is a bit of a stretch,
Why, they'd be obliged to, hadlow was treated to the finest surgeons on the planet for his knee by redbull, and he's no where near as high a profile , Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting, if you read his ( hadlows) article in kiteworld on his injury, treatment and recovery, red bull have elite professionals at their disposal, look at the damage it did to confidis , lance armstrongs sponsors, when they pulled the pin on him during his cancer battle, cost them a lot more than hospital bills, ( although he didn't deserve it), red bull have a big image and huge wealth, Ruben helps drive that , and they won't sit there and not get involved, along with other sponsors, for their brand Lenten is the man
There's an episode of that show he did with Hadlow.... He goes to the Red Bull hospital for his ankle or whatever it was. Looked pretty comprehensive (even had psychologist interviews -- Red Bull wants nutters, not psychos?!) but I don't know if they did cancer.
more to these stories than meets the eye,
Would be worth checking if hadlow damaged his knee on a shoot for red bull where they were obliged to provide support.
How about an attitude change and support the guy- not saying give him your money, just dont be a dick.
Select to expand quotetomme said...Kamikuza said..cauncy said..
tomme said...
note that Ruben didnt set up the page, Susi Mai did-
Saying something like "ohh his sponsors will pay" is a bit of a stretch,
Why, they'd be obliged to, hadlow was treated to the finest surgeons on the planet for his knee by redbull, and he's no where near as high a profile , Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting, if you read his ( hadlows) article in kiteworld on his injury, treatment and recovery, red bull have elite professionals at their disposal, look at the damage it did to confidis , lance armstrongs sponsors, when they pulled the pin on him during his cancer battle, cost them a lot more than hospital bills, ( although he didn't deserve it), red bull have a big image and huge wealth, Ruben helps drive that , and they won't sit there and not get involved, along with other sponsors, for their brand Lenten is the man
There's an episode of that show he did with Hadlow.... He goes to the Red Bull hospital for his ankle or whatever it was. Looked pretty comprehensive (even had psychologist interviews -- Red Bull wants nutters, not psychos?!) but I don't know if they did cancer.
more to these stories than meets the eye,
Would be worth checking if hadlow damaged his knee on a shoot for red bull where they were obliged to provide support.
How about an attitude change and support the guy- not saying give him your money, just dont be a dick.
Not sure how you see me not being supportive, of all cancer sufferers I wish them a recovery, unless they are scumbags, really enjoy watching him and hope to see him back In action again, as for you , I'd love to catch up with you and activate your health cover
Select to expand quotecauncy said...
Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting.
I don't think this is true.
I also don't think sponsors should really have to foot the bill for this, but I'm sure they are helping out where they can. I don't think Redbull would sit there and do nothing at all to help.
I also think it would be better to know a little more before asking for money, as right now it's not certain exactly what's wrong (as far as I read) or how much it costs. But perhaps he's pretty desperate, so I can understand why they would ask.
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said...cauncy said...
Ruben is the main ambassador for the redbull in kiting.
I don't think this is true.
I also don't think sponsors should really have to foot the bill for this, but I'm sure they are helping out where they can. I don't think Redbull would sit there and do nothing at all to help.
I also think it would be better to know a little more before asking for money, as right now it's not certain exactly what's wrong (as far as I read) or how much it costs. But perhaps he's pretty desperate, so I can understand why they would ask.
I don't think they have to either alex, but I'm sure they'd cover or at least contribute, sorry to say but in health treatment you've a better chance of recovery if your in the right hands, hopefully he gets access to those hands
In my eyes I see him as redbulls main man in kiting, maybe I'm wrong?
I'm sure all pro athletes would have all sorts of insurance and private health cover. Kinda rich that MaiTai is asking for donations when they make money off the sport selling it to rich silicon valley people.
Select to expand quotecauncy said..
In my eyes I see him as redbulls main man in kiting, maybe I'm wrong?
I would say Hadlow is the main man, but he's for sure up there as one of their top paid kiters (then again you never know the deal, maybe they've been cutting back... it's all speculation).
Select to expand quoteGfly said...
I'm sure all pro athletes would have all sorts of insurance and private health cover. Kinda rich that MaiTai is asking for donations when they make money off the sport selling it to rich silicon valley people.
I think its a terrible thing he has cancer. Terrible indeed. It just goes to show that none of us are safe, no matter how fit or healthy we are.
At the same time I do not believe for a second that he needs money for treatment.
However Lenten is a brand. He makes a living out of being a popular kite surfer. It makes perfect sense for him to publicize his struggle with cancer and make money from it. Any why not? If people are prepared to help then let them help.
Cancer around the lungs and heart does not sound very good at all......
That is bloody horrible news for Ruben & and close ones - hope they can stay strong through this. 
Let’s hope that not only it has been discovered early enough, but also treatments are available, and can be successful.
I’m sure Ruben will do wonders for helping raise cancer awareness, given his position in the public eye.
The odds are all people are close to someone who has battled, is battling, or will battle cancer in their lifetime - whether family, friend, or even themselves.
The financials of cancer treatment, however, depend on numerous factors – the medical system of country of residence (Netherlands for Ruben), level of health insurances & life insurances, treatment type required, location of treatment (he is in the USA at the moment), duration, types of medications etc.
In Australia, cancer treatment is quite different depending on what you can afford – and no, even the best private health insurance does not cover all cancer treatments. Private health does not cover the drugs… and they are the expensive part, if you need the latest and greatest.
Pharmaceuticals in Australia are either covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), or they’re not. Only certain drugs are subsidised, and therefore, if you want the latest and greatest, you need swathes of cash – and these drugs can range from a few grand per vial, to $100,000’s for a round of treatment.
It’s nice to think we all get the best treatment possible, but that is far from the truth – it’s user-pays, and if you’re not cashed-up, guess what? Bog standard treatment for you.
So lets leave the pontification regarding Ruben's medical expenses at the door, and wish the man the best of luck with whatever treatment he requires.
The below from Kevin Langeree's FB page may shed some more light on the whole treatment/insurance thing - pretty much along the lines of what sirstomp's already said. Sounds like insurance companies being insurance companies - he only had basic travel insurance for his holiday, and because it's been diagnosed while he was travelling, treatment cover falls onto the travel insurer. Not like this was an injury in competition/performing as a brand rep. You'd hope sponsors would be doing all they can for him though.
Wishing him all the best in his recovery, hopefully being as fit as he is puts in the best possible position for a successful outcome.
------------------------
"When you are our age you pretty much feel invincible to things that can harm you. We jump crazy big, chase big storms together and we have competed in worlds biggest kiteboard competitions all around the world. We are living the dream!But then one morning you get a phone call and you hear that your cousin is in hospital and has a 9cm tumor behind his hart. He diagnosed with Cancer. Your hart sinks... No mega loop can scare you more than this sad news... I contacted Ruben right away and I was amazed how positive he sounded. Like we all know Ruben he has THE go for it mentality. And I'm sure this will be the best mind state you can be in.
But still he will go true a very rough time the next few months.
So I'm wishing him all the best, all the love in the world and I hope you can get better soon bro so we can do an other crazy storm chase together.During his trip to San Fransisco Ruben got pain in his chest and went to the hospital and thats where they found out he has Cancer. Ruben has a basic travel insurance and that won't cover all his medical cost in the US. So please donate an amount that you feel is right for you at the link below. And please share this message with your kiteboarding friends. Thanks a lot!!"
Insurance story above is what I imagined. Also if you read about cover in the Netherlands he wouldn't have it properly for this scenario unless he paid for it, which it's likely he didn't, as it's highly subsidised by your employer etc. (which I'm assuming wasn't located NL so wouldn't have been paying towards that).
As said above, health care in the US is very expensive, as we've seen with the sad incident that happened to Brad Smeele (kiwi wakeboarder) in the US it's apparent that the bills stack up very quickly. If you can help him out and have the needs, please do, Brad Smeele also 
.
