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A chemotherapy IV in a patient's hand (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Linda Bartlett)
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A chemotherapy IV in a patient's hand (Picture: Wikimedia Commons/Linda Bartlett)
Dutch woman dies after visit to German cancer clinic
Joke van der Kolk (43) from WIjk en Aalburg passed away on Saturday after visiting alternative cancer clinic Klaus Ross Center in Bracht, Germany. She received an alternative treatment for her breast cancer at the clinic, Omroep Brabant reports.
Shortly before her death, Van der Kolk complained about having a headache and seemed confused. After that she could no longer communicate. On Saturday, five days after her treatment in the German clinic started, she died in hospital.
The police say that she died in unexplained circumstances. She leaves a husband and two children behind.
Van der Kolk is not the only one to die after treatment in the German clinic. Belgian woman Leentje Callens lost her wife in similar circumstances, she said to Brabants Dagblad. The newspaper's sources say that another patient, a Dutch man, also died in a similar way. The police and judiciary in both Germany and the Netherlands will only confirm the death of Van der Kolk. The German Public Prosecutor is investigating.
The municipality of Aalberg, where Van der Kolk worked in Finance since 2007, announced that they miss her very much. "In Joke we lose a fine and involved colleague, who was active in many areas of our organization. We will certainly miss her commitment and contribution." a spokesperson said to the broadcaster. "We wish her husband Andre and their children Michael and Jill and other relatives and friend a lot of strength and luck to carry them through such a tough loss."