Following the death of Professor Louis Denis in July this year, we asked Europa Uomo members to tell us about their memories of this tireless campaigner for better treatment of men with prostate cancer. Here are some of the responses.

If you would also like to share your memories, please send them to europauomo@skynet.be

From Hannu Tavio, Finland:

Prof. Dr. L. Denis was an exceptional person as to knowledge of medical issues for prostate cancer, and always ready to share this and his wisdom with all prostate cancer patients in Europe and across the world.  He will stay in our hearts and minds for ever.

Overall, he was a very warm friend and always carried and shared his positive attitude to all brothers. He was a very brave man, and provided some immortal and everlasting sentences. One in particular is important, something he stated to urologist colleagues in a big urology congress in Monaco:  “First treat the man, then his cancer”. We respected him greatly and miss him deeply.

From Roland Muntz, Founding President of Anamacap, France:

With my friend Christian Ligensa from Germany , we called Louis Denis the grandfather of Europa Uomo. In reality, he was the father. His imposing stature, his warrior-like dynamism, his strong authority, his competence and his deep empathy for patients made this Flemish urologist a world figure in the prostate cancer community.

He knew how to communicate a friendly warmth in his relations with patients from all countries. How many times did we break bread in an atmosphere of frank friendship after battling over screening or overtreatment? He did us the honour of coming to the historic amphitheatre of Charcot in Paris to enhance the quality of life item on our agenda. Without Louis Denis, Europa Uomo would not have been born. He will enter the Pantheon of our community. My sympathy to Brigitte Dourcy-Belle-Rose and my condolences to his family.

From Joaquim da Cruz Domingos, Portugal:

I have a sweet memory of Louis. Some time between 2010 and 2016, during an annual General Assembly held in Milan, we had lunch in a restaurant where it was a tradition, at the end of lunch, for all employees including cooks to come together with customers to sing traditional Italian songs. At one point, Louis got up from the table where he was having lunch and joined the staff singing the well-known songs: Oh Sole Mio! And Funiculì, Funiculà! A beautiful voice and a refined musical sense. Bravo Louis!

From Merel Grey Nissenberg, United States:

He was a firm and kind supporter of our National Alliance of State Prostate Cancer Coalitions. What a hero and a genuinely wonderful person!

From Sandy Tyndale-Biscoe, United Kingdom:

A good man, who is sorely missed. He was a great supporter of Tackle Prostate Cancer in its early days. Rest in peace.