A professional footballer at 23, Jaka Jakopič was then diagnosed with cancer. But rather than let it defeat him, he underwent chemotherapy and went on to father 2 children and get his career back on track. The European Parliament has supported cooperation

Reporter: Life after cancer

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/13868629/M003-0069a-EN.srt

Jaka Jakopič was a   professional footballer.

But his life changed   when he was diagnosed with cancer.

he is a testimonial   for the fight against cancer.

Parliament supports   the EU Partnership

to improve cooperation   between Member States.

and I ended up in a hospital   because I had lymphoma cancer.

I had to go through 7 cycles   of chemotherapy, that's 15 sessions,

which lasted 7 months,   and also 35 sessions of radiotherapy.

The first night,   when I was completely alone

I was asking myself   why and how I will die.

That night, the fight between   life and death started in me.

I was aware that I wouldn't be able   to play football in the near future.

I didn't play,   but I dedicated my time

I went to the seaside, read a lot   and spent time with friends.

The biggest change - the simplest   but also the most difficult -

I believe that you need   to love yourself first

because chemotherapy   can damage certain cells.

But mine were obviously still fine,   as I had twins.

What disturbed me most   was that I could not talk about the illness;

when people heard 'cancer',   they ran away.

I'm a member of the   Community of Cancer Patients

and leader of two projects:   'The Wheel of Life' and 'Heads Up'.

Both projects concern awareness raising,

to appear in the media   and talk about cancer