It has taken NRG and its partners as well as other supporters including the local council and the Province of Noord-Holland many years to realise FIELD-LAB which has been a joint effort between the nuclear industry, academia and the political field. The realisation of FIELD-LAB will not only enhance knowledge on nuclear diagnostics and therapeutics, but will also add a significant boost to the local economy by creating employment opportunities in this region. Jaap Bond, Provincial Executive of Noord-Holland spent much of his time informing and convincing decision makers in governmental The Hague about the need for FIELD-LAB. He pointed out to his audience in Petten that Noord-Holland is an economically robust region, which contributes 21% to the gross national product of the Netherlands. Moreover, the province already provides shelter to many innovative companies; establishing FIELD-LAB would fit in perfectly. He foresaw a bright future for FIELD-LAB and added that he would like to see it occupy a similar position in the field of nuclear medicine research development and realisation as Seed Valley – based in the same region – has for plant breeding and seed technology which is exported to customers worldwide. According to Bond, FIELD-LAB offers the opportunity to “strengthen knowledge and take a step forward”.

The mayor of Schagen, Marjan van Kampen-Nouwen, emphasised the importance of oncological research and added that she was incredibly proud to have such an innovative consortium in her municipality. Alexander Strijbos who founded the Stronger Than Ever Challenge, a triathlon for (ex) cancer patients and their family and friends, talked about his personal motivations for doing so, whilst underlining the need for more cancer research and more therapies.