# Maarten van der Weijden cancer research swim > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maarten-van-der-weijden-cancer-research-swim > Updated: 2026-08-19T10:31:00.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3. Olympic swimming champion Maarten van der Weijden announced plans to undertake a 270-kilometer swim across 22 Dutch cities to raise funds for childhood cancer research. The journey, intended to support the ‘For Life’ program at the Prinses Máxima Center, aims to study the immediate and long-term side effects of cancer treatments to improve the quality of life for recovering children. On August 17, the swim, referred to as the ‘22-stedentocht’, officially commenced in Vught. The route travels through various cities, including ’s-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg, Breda, Gouda, and Woerden, with a scheduled conclusion at the Prinses Máxima Centrum in Utrecht. By the start of the trek, donations had already surpassed 40,000 euros. On the morning of Wednesday, August 19, Van der Weijden temporarily suspended the tour due to health concerns after experiencing “significant nausea and abdominal pain.” Following medical consultation, the Maarten van der Weijden Foundation announced he would not enter the water that day to allow for rest and recovery. Ultimately, Van der Weijden was forced to officially halt the ‘22-city tour’ due to worsening health issues, including fever. Despite the cancellation before reaching Utrecht, the initiative was a financial success, raising over 550,000 euros. During the event, influencer Bas Smit joined the swimmer in Haastrecht, contributing to an additional 50,000 euros in social media donations. Van der Weijden, a leukemia survivor, indicated that this would be his final major swimming fundraising effort. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Maarten van der Weijden halts charity swim due to illness Olympic swimmer Maarten van der Weijden has ended his 270km charity swim through 22 Dutch cities due to illness, having raised over 550,000 euros for childhood cancer research. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maarten-van-der-weijden-pauses-swimming-tour-due-to-illness ### 2026-08-17: Maarten van der Weijden begins 270km swim for cancer research Maarten van der Weijden has started a 270-kilometer swim through 22 Dutch cities to raise funds for childhood cancer research at the Prinses Máxima Centrum. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maarten-van-der-weijden-begins-270km-swim-for-cancer-research ### 2026-08-12: Maarten van der Weijden to swim 270km for cancer research Olympic swimmer Maarten van der Weijden will swim 270 kilometers through 22 Dutch cities to raise funds for childhood cancer research and the Prinses Máxima Center's For Life program. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maarten-van-der-weijden-to-swim-270km-for-cancer-research --- Cite as: Maarten van der Weijden cancer research swim. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maarten-van-der-weijden-cancer-research-swim