Thijs Cools will do a rally for the first time next week when the Morocco Desert Challenge kicks off, and for a good cause.

Besides being his rally debut, Cools plans to use the MDC to raise funds for the oncology department at AZ Klina, a hospital in Brasschaat, Belgium. His campaign is called “Samen door we Woestijn” (“Together by the Desert”) and hopes to benefit the department’s day center by improving its coffee corner to offer more refreshments, as well as raising money to promote clinical studies in cancer research.

“Every day, people are told that their lives are suddenly taking a different turn,” Cools wrote. “Unfortunately, we experienced this in our family as well. Cancer puts everything on edge and forces patients and their loved ones into an intense battle, both physically and mentally.

“During this difficult period, medical care is crucial, but the support around it is just as important: care, guidance, and a listening ear. The oncology day center plays an indispensable role in this.

“It is a place where a team of doctors and nurses is ready to guide and treat people with cancer. This professional and compassionate care makes a real difference in patients’ daily lives.

“Seeing up close how much impact this support has is what inspired me to take on a special sporting challenge. From April 11 to 18, I will take part in the Morocco Desert Challenge, one of the toughest rallies in the world. Thousands of kilometers through the desert, under extreme conditions, require perseverance, resilience, and mental strength.

“Every stage has a finish line. For people living with cancer, that luxury is often nonexistent: their fight continues every day.”

While the MDC is his rally debut, he previously worked the 2024 Dakar Rally on a service crew.

The campaign is also offering sponsorships and donations.

Featured image credit: Samen door de Woestijn