Meet Dennis Warmerdam: from youth hockey champion, to cancer patient, to the Dutch National team. For our FundRazor, Dennis sat down with Reda Haouam to share his powerful story. It’s not just about physical fitness; it’s all about mental strength.
In this interview, we’ve gathered the most inspiring moments from the roundtable discussion. Don't forget to turn on subtitles.
Rather read than watch? Below, the highlights of the interview written out.
Dennis, as a true hockey player, when did your love for the sport begin?
My older sister played hockey, and it was also logistically convenient for my parents if I started playing too. I secretly wanted to play football. But as you grow in the sport, you make friends and eventually, I never left. At fourteen, I made the switch to Pinoké, a club with a strong youth program. From there, I was able to make the leap to professional hockey. I've been playing there since I was sixteen, and my love for the sport has never faded. I think it's a fantastic game.
How have you managed to keep this up all these years? What drives you?
As a child, I was mainly just happy to play. I never really felt like I wanted to reach the top; that happened naturally. I was a bit of a late bloomer. It wasn't until I was around 14 or 15 that I really took that step. When I made my debut in the first team and was selected for the Netherlands B team (under 16), I felt like, 'Hey, I can actually play hockey quite well.' Maybe one day I'll make it to the national team, and then you start dreaming about it. I never felt real pressure to 'make it,' but more of a desire to 'achieve it.' I just wanted to score goals and have fun. That has always been my foundation.
You also received that intense cancer diagnosis. How did you handle this? What phase were you in at that time?
I was diagnosed at 23 while playing high-level hockey and aiming for the national team. After struggling with a wrist injury for two years, I finally decided to see a doctor, who confirmed it was a rare form of cancer that had spread from my wrist to my elbow.
In the hospital, they focus on two main tasks: ensuring your survival and maintaining as much functionality as possible. Unfortunately, for me, amputation was deemed the safest option, and in an instant, I transitioned from being an athlete to a cancer patient.
I underwent chemotherapy at the AVL hospital, but it didn’t prove effective. The tough message was that we had to amputate my arm. I had a farewell match in the hockey world, filled with both tears and laughter, marking the end of my career.
Eventually, I went to another hospital for a surgery where they took muscle and skin from my leg to create a new arm. That experience was incredibly special. I slowly started training again and eventually returned to the national team, which had always been my goal. Overcoming illness and nearly losing my arm to come back successfully was truly remarkable.
How did you experience all the uncertainties? Did you have a specific strategy?
As a person and an athlete, I like to have control because the outcome is often uncertain. I sought out things I could still do. For instance, since I couldn't play squash with my right-hand due to the chemotherapy, I started playing with my left. By focusing on what was still possible, I could achieve small victories.
Looking back, I find it remarkable that my surgery went well for three reasons: I was young, I didn't smoke (which allowed them to connect certain blood vessels), and I was super fit, which helped me recover well from chemotherapy.
While I attribute 99% of my success to the hospital, the doctors mentioned that the 1% I contributed—by taking care of my body and staying positive—made a difference. The key is to focus on what you can still do after processing the setback. Sometimes, those small percentages can make all the difference.
Have you become a different player or person after this period?
I think I have become a different person. Well, the core of who I am remains the same, so as a person, I haven’t changed drastically. I was always 'the hockey player.' At a birthday party, the usual question was, 'How's hockey going?' It was a nice label to have, but then I got labelled as 'cancer patient.' I didn’t want that.
I’m not a cancer patient; I’m Dennis, and I have cancer. We’re going to do everything we can to get better, but I will still be myself. In the end, I’m Dennis who plays hockey, not just 'the hockey player.' I really had to learn who I am. That process helped me grow as a person and also as a team player.
Do you have a specific idea of what health means to you?
When you are healthy, you are not limited in where you want to go. Through everything I’ve experienced, my perspective on mental health has also changed. I’ve had several moments in my life where I was under pressure, and I found myself a bit lost because I was physically pushing myself so hard. But mentally, I was not relaxed at all, and for me, that’s also part of health: being able to relax.
How did you realize that mental health needed your attention?
Well, I think it started during my illness. Initially, a thought emerged—though it may sound strange: I’m an athlete, and I’m used to wanting to be the best at everything. Now I have to be the best at dealing with cancer.
I’m generally positive, but I felt I couldn’t allow negative thoughts, as that would jeopardize my reputation as the “positive guy.” That’s quite challenging because you don’t always feel that way. I had to learn to express what I needed, like saying, “Hey, I need this.” Once you allow that, you naturally shift back to a positive mindset. The fear is that you won’t be able to recover, but by acknowledging your feelings, you can bounce back to positivity.
Together with Joost Bakker, you've written a wonderful book. How has this contributed to your recovery process?
Writing the book was a process of personal development for me. At one point, we were analysing everything and came to the conclusion that I needed to learn to let go and share something of myself. When we started writing, I wasn't doing that because, after not making the selections for the national team, I completely shut myself off. By putting it down on paper, I realized, “I'm actually doing the same thing as before.” Eventually, I was able to decide to step back from the national team.
I often refer to it as a bit of a Disney story: 'hockey player, sick, and back to hockey.' An incredible comeback, but so much has happened. I faced many challenges, learned a lot, and wanted to write about that to give others a behind-the-scenes look.
How was the writing process for you?
I agreed with Joost: I would say everything. If I wanted to take something out, we would do that, but this way I could always speak freely. When I read it back, my first thought was: “Am I really going to say this in a book? Am I going to admit this?” But that was exactly what made it beautiful, because that’s what I wanted to do. It really helped me to approach it this way.
We included everything, but it wasn't always easy.
What would you say to men who are going through a similar illness based on your experience?
There is always something you can do, even if it doesn’t seem beneficial for the final result. Sometimes it’s those small steps that, in hindsight, provide just that extra push that makes a lot possible.
You don’t have to do it alone. I felt like I had to be tough. I brushed it off and kept going; that was my first reaction when I got sick. But there’s a whole group of people around you who want to help. If you keep everything to yourself, they won’t know how to support you. If you dare to share what you need, your feelings, and your emotions, you become a team. For me, it became “our” problem, not just “my” problem. It turned into a shared victory.
Vulnerability is actually quite brave. It also inspires others.
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Dennis Warmerdam's journey shows us that perseverance isn’t just about physical strength; it’s about mental resilience too. By being open about his experiences, he demonstrates that even in the toughest times, you can fight for what truly matters. Alongside Reda Haouam, he reveals how you can overcome challenges and still come out on top. A big shoutout to both of these inspiring men for sharing their stories and their strength!