Af: Kongehuset og Henning Okholm
FOTO: Zhong Min Peng©RP
On April 9, 2025, Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark visited the Danish Cancer Society’s Cancer Counseling Center in Herlev. As patron of the Danish Cancer Society, this marked Her Majesty’s first official visit in her new role, which she assumed following the change of throne last year—taking over the position from H.M. Queen Margrethe.
Upon arrival, The Queen was warmly welcomed by Chair of the Danish Cancer Society, Helen Bernt-Andersen, and CEO, Jesper Fisker. The visit began in the center’s welcoming foyer area, Livsrum (“Living Space”), where Her Majesty met with Director of Patient Support, Pernille Slebsager, and Head of Counseling Services, Helle Goyle.
The Queen was then introduced to the center’s work through a presentation by Charlotte Valgaard Jørgensen, Counseling Center Manager in Herlev. The presentation highlighted the wide range of services offered to patients and their families—including support for children and young people affected by cancer.
One of the most meaningful moments of the visit came as Her Majesty met with two families currently navigating cancer diagnoses. They shared their personal stories and experiences with the Danish Cancer Society’s support services.
The Danish Cancer Society operates a nationwide network of counseling centers, offering free support and guidance to patients and relatives. The organization also houses one of Denmark’s largest cancer research centers and allocates substantial funding annually to research at hospitals and universities. Public education and cancer prevention also remain central pillars of its mission.
As the country’s largest patient organization, the Danish Cancer Society is a privately funded association supported by donations, with over 400,000 members and approximately 35,000 active volunteers. The organization’s core mission is clear: to ensure that fewer people get cancer, more people survive it, and everyone affected by cancer can live better—during and after their illness.
