I think it's great that people are willing to dig deep to help the guy out, hats off to them. But if you have decent travel insurance I think you'd find that you would be well covered for the likes of his condition.
I think the mere fact that this thread turned into a discussion about costs of treatment and health insurance around the world shows us that maybe he handled this poorly.
If he wants to keep us updated about his situation then that's great and makes a lot of sense.
But to tack on a web site so we can send money while we are still reeling from the shocking news is a little unusual and really should of been left to others (?) to do this.
I'm not sure what the correct word is I'm searching for but I feel uncomfortable about what he's done here.
I have a close family member going in for cancer treatment this week, but we don't have the world wide fan base to be asking for money to pay our bills.
Select to expand quotedaggy said...
I think the mere fact that this thread turned into a discussion about costs of treatment and health insurance around the world shows us that maybe he handled this poorly.
If he wants to keep us updated about his situation then that's great and makes a lot of sense.
But to tack on a web site so we can send money while we are still reeling from the shocking news is a little unusual and really should of been left to others (?) to do this.
I'm not sure what the correct word is I'm searching for but I feel uncomfortable about what he's done here.
I have a close family member going in for cancer treatment this week, but we don't have the world wide fan base to be asking for money to pay our bills.
Your right man. Something doesn't gel right here. There's not enough info provided. Why stay in the US? Why not travel to his home country instantly? What are the actual costs that need to be covered?.
Didn't he see his doc before he left then again while away? Pretty sure travel insurance would be saying pre-existing condition and washing there hands of it. Maybe this might explain things if he's getting treatment in the US?
Select to expand quoteNickT said..
Didn't he see his doc before he left then again while away? Pretty sure travel insurance would be saying pre-existing condition and washing there hands of it. Maybe this might explain things if he's getting treatment in the US?
It was pre existing, but not diagnosed by the doctor he went to see at home. It was diagnosed correctly in the US. If it had been diagnosed at home, he maybe wouldn't be in this position.
Its a free choice - no one has to give anything. Some people have, some people haven't. I'm sure everyone wishes him well either way.
Select to expand quotePlummet said..
It just goes to show that none of us are safe, no matter how fit or healthy we are.
I'd hate to be the one to break the news to you ....
but there's no getting out of this life ,,,
alive.
lol.
Select to expand quotewaveslave said...Plummet said..
It just goes to show that none of us are safe, no matter how fit or healthy we are.
I'd hate to be the one to break the news to you ....
but there's no getting out of this life ,,,
alive.
lol.
Yes that's true but at the same time you don't want to leave this life early. My wife has gone through the cancer thing with surgery, chemo and more surgery so unless you have gone though something like this yourself I think you should leave comment like this out. It's not as easy as you may think for people.
I like many people have close friends and family who have survived and not survived cancer of various types.
Good luck to Rubén and quite a shock for a young guy to have such a thing.
But i also am not sure about asking for financial support from employer and fans. I think he is probably having a prettyhard-time coming to terms it and I feel for him.
The Dutch have a pretty good public health system.
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..
The Dutch have a pretty good public health system.
They do, but from what I've read I'm questioning whether he would be covered. Hence why I think he's asking for donations.
Select to expand quotenoodelsrominov said..waveslave said...Plummet said..
It just goes to show that none of us are safe, no matter how fit or healthy we are.
I'd hate to be the one to break the news to you ....
but there's no getting out of this life ,,,
alive.
lol.
My wife has gone through the cancer thing with surgery, chemo and more surgery so unless you have gone though something like this yourself I think you should leave comment like this out.
I'm hoping the result ended in a happy outcome. ^^^
Select to expand quotewaveslave said...noodelsrominov said..waveslave said...Plummet said..
It just goes to show that none of us are safe, no matter how fit or healthy we are.
I'd hate to be the one to break the news to you ....
but there's no getting out of this life ,,,
alive.
lol.
My wife has gone through the cancer thing with surgery, chemo and more surgery so unless you have gone though something like this yourself I think you should leave comment like this out.
I'm hoping the result ended in a happy outcome. ^^^
So far so good but it's drugs for the next 10 years till we know it's gone for good.
Sad news. Im sure he a hero to many of us for his live in the now attitude. Best of luck.
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..Dave Whettingsteel said..
The Dutch have a pretty good public health system.
They do, but from what I've read I'm questioning whether he would be covered. Hence why I think he's asking for donations.
Just wondering why you think he wouldn't be covered for a life threatening disease in the Netherlands?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_Netherlands
Guessing the U.S. has better and more advanced (and expensive) cancer treatment than Europe as the companies developing them re-coup their costs and take advantage of those desperate for the best outcome!
This thread shouldn't be derided by those who question Rubén Lenten putting it out there - I'm sure if he was loaded he wouldn't have...
He has been an inspiration in the kiting world for a long time. Beating Naish at hookipa as a 16 year old to doing the most insane jumps over the water, land and off mountains!
I hope he gets whatever treatment he requires and beats this insidious disease.
All the best to Ruben!
Very tough news for Ruben.
There are lots of misconceptions in the above posts on the status of his sponsors and his insurance both personal and travel.
SPONSORSThe comment about the sponsors paying for his treatment.
This may happen if some of the sponsors do it as an act of good faith BUT USUALLY THERE IS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM TO DO SO>
Most sponsorship contracts for pro athletes will have a clause that states the contract ends if they are unable to perform after a qualifying period. This has happened to surfers who are injured and after 3 months ( this varies) of not being able to compete they get dropped.
Most contracts expect the athlete to have their own insurance.
Travel INSURANCE
Travel insurance is primarily designed to give people financial assistance if injured or a struck with a sudden illness - THEY ARE NOT DESIGNED TO PAY FOR LONG TERM TREATMENTS SUCH AS CANCER-
Most policies would have a clause like -
8. WE WILL NOT PAY for any expenses incurred in relation to treatment that can be reasonably delayed until You return to Australia; ( AMEX TRAVEL)
PERSONAL INSURANCE-
IF he had any INCOME PROTECTION OR TRAUMA INSURANCE then this would pay him an agreed amount defined by a policy - HOWEVER due to what he does for a living it is doubtful that he would have cover -
If you don't know what TRAUMA insurance is
Trauma Insurance pays a lump sum in the event that you suffer a major injury or illness such as heart attack, stroke or cancer.
More info here - www.yesinsurancesolutions.com.au/services/trauma-insurance/
So If Ruben had this then he would be eligible for a lumps sum payment - this would help cover his medical expenses.
I hope he has a positive outcome.
Select to expand quoteDave Whettingsteel said..
sir ROWDY said..
Dave Whettingsteel said..
The Dutch have a pretty good public health system.
They do, but from what I've read I'm questioning whether he would be covered. Hence why I think he's asking for donations.
Just wondering why you think he wouldn't be covered for a life threatening disease in the Netherlands?
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthcare_in_the_Netherlands
Reading that link and knowing his situation and how he lives. The fact that he travels so much, has employers located outside of his country and possibly hasn't been keeping up with tax makes me think that. Maybe I'm wrong... I'm just guessing. As said above, I doubt he would be asking if he didn't need it.
Select to expand quotesir ROWDY said..
I'm just guessing.
All this vacuous gossip about Ruben's private financial position comes across as crass and undignified.
A little bit of sensitivity please.
I'm going to channel the positive vibes and good energy in his direction. )))))))))))
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..
sir ROWDY said..
I'm just guessing.
All this vacuous gossip about Ruben's private financial position comes across as crass and undignified.
A little bit of sensitivity please.
I'm going to channel the positive vibes and good energy in his direction. )))))))))))
"A little bit of sensitivity please." - Says the guy who's making jokes a couple of posts up about people dying... keep riding that high horse buddy.
I'm just giving the skeptic people a decent reason for why they might want to help him out, otherwise it sounds to some like he's asking for money when he doesn't really need it (as some are eluding to). I don't see anything wrong with what I've said, I'm actually trying to help.
He's made his private financial situation public now by asking for money, so I don't see any reason why we can't talk about why he might actually need that money, especially if it's going to get him more donations and help him out.
p.s.
If you've got some coins to spare any little amount will help 
.
interesting fact, at any one time 50% of red bull athletes are under rehab( physio, surgery,etc) so they are perfectly equipped to help the bloke out, both financially and professionally, cancer might be off their radar but how could you as a company md of a hugely wealthy company watch one of your team not get the best aid available to them, if it was one of their f1 team(higher profile) itd be a done deal
Just goes to show we should live each day like its our last, because we never know what's around the corner.
I'm sure thousands if not millions of thoughts and prayers will be with the legend, and on the minor chance it all turned pear-shaped he's lived a life many could only dream of.
Best luck Ruben, we'll all boost big and be thinking of you, one of the greatest of all time!
Life simply isn't what you see on Facebook , instagram and in media... despite the fact it may portray a perfect life of talent, riches and popularity - there is no way anyone is going to get rich kiting or any other action sport really short of being top few in the very top action sports and wouldn't be kiteboarding by a long shot.
It's so epic that so many people are able to give encouraging words and cash to help if they choose. He has been a huge influence on kiteboarding - I think one of, if not the biggest, and has always been happy to help others out.
I am pretty sure there are some drugs coming through right now that are suuuper expensive but that have shown some great results - you only want the very best.
Wow. Tons of negativity going on in this thread, which surprises me because anyone that met or knows Ruben will know that he's one of the most positive people you'll ever meet. If you've ever had a chat to him on the beach or asked him something about kiteboarding, he'll be the one to tell you to do it, to go for it, to push it, and to fill you with positivity.
His cancer is a rare type of lymphoma with an aggressive treatment plan. He went to the doctor before leaving the Netherlands and that doctor said that it was nothing to worry about. He was still feeling unwell in California so he went to get it checked again, which is when they diagnosed the tumour.
Speaking from personal experience, i have been in a hospital in the US as a foreign citizen (for a random pinched nerve in my neck). I was admitted, sat in a chair (not even a bed) for 2 hours. They gave me 2 Valium, 2 Vicodin, and 1 heat pack to put on my neck. The bill was just under $10k. (US Dollars). So can you imagine what 2 weeks in a bed would cost, with X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, Biopsies, blood tests, and a first round of Chemotherapy.
I've heard many similar stories @mvh, even for doing nothing at all just sitting in a chair, pretty crazy.
If you've got the means I think it's nice to help people out, you never know when you might be the one needing some help .
Y'all sound like you want that commie socialist red health care system. What, are you a leftie liberal commie pinko? 
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..sir ROWDY said..
I'm just guessing.
All this vacuous gossip about Ruben's private financial position comes across as crass and undignified.
A little bit of sensitivity please.
I'm going to channel the positive vibes and good energy in his direction. )))))))))))
Sounds like a housewives show
Select to expand quotewaveslave said..
I'd hate to be the one to break the news to you ....
but there's no getting out of this life ,,,
alive.
lol.Select to expand quotewaveslave said..
A little bit of sensitivity please.Select to expand quotekitemarc said..
Sounds like a housewives show
Sounds more like a confusing episode of House to me.
Anyways, enough about insurance, it's about the man, wish him well, previous return from injury, circa 2010
NO ONE IS FREE FROM GETTING IT, LET'S ALL DO JOIN FORCES AND USE OUR PASION TO HELP BEAT CANCER.
