The ItsME Foundation was established in 2019 as a result of a personal experience. Founder Jur Deitmers was himself affected by encephalitis. That experience gave him a first-hand understanding of just how disruptive and life-altering brain inflammation can be – for those affected and for their loved ones.

The ItsME Foundation is committed, as an independent organisation, to enable groundbreaking research and contribute to better treatments for meningitis and encephalitis. We do this by raising funds via (sponsorship) campaigns.

The M and E in ItsME stand for Meningitis and Encephalitis.

Our mission

Strong together against meningitis and encephalitis

The ItsME Foundation is working towards a future in which meningitis and encephalitis are recognised more quickly and treated more effectively.

  • We fund scientific research
  • Raise awareness
  • Support those affected and their families

Through targeted initiatives, knowledge sharing and fundraising, we are building a lasting impact.

Our team

Working together for results

The foundation is almost entirely supported by dedicated volunteers who devote themselves to ItsME's mission with heart and soul.

The Scientific Advisory Board consists of leading medical specialists on meningitis and encephalitis., both in the Netherlands and abroad. The key disciplines involved are represented: neurology, virology, molecular microbiology and clinical pharmacology.

Jur Deitmers
Jur Deitmers
Chairman
Joyce Rommelaar
Joyce Rommelaar
PR & Communications
Soulaimene F’touh
Soulaimene F’touh
Finance
Karel Zieleman
Karel Zieleman
Fundraising
Hubert Deitmers
Hubert Deitmers
Secretary
Jur Deitmers
Jur Deitmers
Chairman
Joyce Rommelaar
Joyce Rommelaar
PR & Communications
Soulaimene F’touh
Soulaimene F’touh
Finance
Karel Zieleman
Karel Zieleman
Fundraising
Hubert Deitmers
Hubert Deitmers
Secretary
Nicole Fuchs
Nicole Fuchs
Director
Ilse van Diejen
Ilse van Diejen
Project Manager (events)
Carla de Boer
Carla de Boer
Communications Manager
Willem Schinkelshoek
Willem Schinkelshoek
Finance Officer
Bernadette Deitmers
Bernadette Deitmers
Operations
Hermien Meltzer
Hermien Meltzer
Event Manager
Julia Tollenaar
Julia Tollenaar
PR & Marketing
Lindsey van der Sluis
Lindsey van der Sluis
Awareness
Nicole Fuchs
Nicole Fuchs
Director
Ilse van Diejen
Ilse van Diejen
Project Manager (events)
Carla de Boer
Carla de Boer
Communications Manager
Willem Schinkelshoek
Willem Schinkelshoek
Finance Officer
Bernadette Deitmers
Bernadette Deitmers
Operations
Hermien Meltzer
Hermien Meltzer
Event Manager
Julia Tollenaar
Julia Tollenaar
PR & Marketing
Lindsey van der Sluis
Lindsey van der Sluis
Awareness
Drs. Han Bosman
Drs. Han Bosman
Chairman
Ir. Reny ten Haaf
Ir. Reny ten Haaf
Abbott Biologicals
Dr Robert Scheeren
Dr Robert Scheeren
Spaarne Hospital
Drs. Han Bosman
Drs. Han Bosman
Chairman
Ir. Reny ten Haaf
Ir. Reny ten Haaf
Abbott Biologicals
Dr Robert Scheeren
Dr Robert Scheeren
Spaarne Hospital
Prof. dr. Hugo van der Kuy
Prof. dr. Hugo van der Kuy
Chairman
Prof. dr. Diederik van de Beek
Prof. dr. Diederik van de Beek
Neurologist
Dr. George Sakoulas
Dr. George Sakoulas
Virologist Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (San Diego, California)
Dr Jon Roth
Dr Jon Roth
Medical Doctor Good Samaritan Hospital (Puyallup, Washington)
Professor Dr Nina van Sorge
Professor Dr Nina van Sorge
Microbiologist Amsterdam UMC
Dr Maarten Titulaer
Dr Maarten Titulaer
Neurologist Erasmus MC
Prof. dr. Hugo van der Kuy
Prof. dr. Hugo van der Kuy
Chairman
Prof. dr. Diederik van de Beek
Prof. dr. Diederik van de Beek
Neurologist
Dr. George Sakoulas
Dr. George Sakoulas
Virologist Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (San Diego, California)
Dr Jon Roth
Dr Jon Roth
Medical Doctor Good Samaritan Hospital (Puyallup, Washington)
Professor Dr Nina van Sorge
Professor Dr Nina van Sorge
Microbiologist Amsterdam UMC
Dr Maarten Titulaer
Dr Maarten Titulaer
Neurologist Erasmus MC

Ambassadors

Representatives of ItsME

Ranomi Kromowidjojo

“Two weeks before the 2010 European Championships, I suffered from meningitis. One day I was in top form and the next I was in critical condition in a hospital. After a period of recovery, five months later I was breaking personal records and winning gold medals at the World Championships. Despite a very difficult and painful time, I came through it unscathed. I realise very well that this is not the case for everyone. That is why I am happy to support ItsME.”

Prof Dr Erik Scherder

“I cannot emphasise enough the importance of music and movement for the brain. Jur Deitmers as a person and ItsME as a foundation are another wonderful example of this. Jur was struck by the Herpes Simplex virus at the age of 21, causing him to lose all his memories up to that point. I was moved to silence by the video showing Jur being placed in a wheelchair behind the piano in a hospital in San Diego, where he played a beautiful piece of music despite his memory loss. Impressive.

In addition, the ItsME Foundation organises the annual ‘Walk with ME’, a 50km walk, as its main sponsorship event. Whilst this is admittedly a much greater distance than the so-called ‘Ommetje van Scherder’, the importance of walking (or running) takes on even greater significance here. So, when I was asked to become an ambassador, I didn’t have to think twice.”

Annual reports

Figures and progress

In our annual reports, you’ll find a complete overview of the activities and financial accountability of the ItsME Foundation. Among other things, you’ll see which research projects are funded by donations, how the funds are allocated, and which events and campaigns we organise to support our mission, including the profits from these.

By reading our annual reports, you’ll get a clear picture of the impact of your support and how we’re working towards better treatments, faster diagnoses and greater awareness of encephalitis and meningitis.

Annual report 2025 (PDF)
Annual report 2024 (PDF)
Annual report 2023 (PDF)
Annual report 2022 (PDF)
Annual report 2021 (PDF)
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About Jur

The Boy Without a Yesterday

“In 2017, whilst studying Economics and Philosophy at Harvard, I suddenly fell seriously ill. What began as a fever during a trip to Mexico turned out to be encephalitis caused by the Herpes Simplex virus. Thanks to the prompt action of my roommate Kevin and the efforts of doctors in San Diego, I survived this life-threatening illness.

Shortly afterwards, a second setback followed: an autoimmune reaction led to NMDAR encephalitis. This rare combination is almost always fatal, but after weeks of intensive treatment, I recovered – against all odds.”

Nevertheless, the illness has left deep scars. I lost over 21 years of memories. I no longer even recognised my mother, father, brother and sister. Drawing on my studies in Philosophy, I have since often asked myself the question: “Who am I if I don't know who I am?”

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I’m doing well now, partly thanks to intensive support and the help of the people around me. Based on my case, protocols at Sharp Memorial Hospital have been updated so that patients in the future can be treated more quickly and effectively.

In 2019, I was proud to set up the ItsME Foundation to accelerate and support scientific research into meningitis and encephalitis. I hope that more people will be able to survive these diseases in the future and make a better recovery.