Aethos - Derk-Jan van Heerden: Aircraft End-of-Life Expert's Song Takes Flight After Cancer Diagnosis

Life after a cancer diagnosis Life after a cancer diagnosis Van Heerdenwas diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma in 2023. With extensive medical treatment, the average life expectancy following a Glioblastoma diagnosis is 15 months. Confronted with the end of his own life, the aircraft end-of-life expert had to adjust to his new reality. "I decided to have as much fun as possible. Do things with friends and family, attend international events to meet up with my friends in the aviation...

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, 25/11/2025 (informazione.news - comunicati stampa - spettacolo)

Van Heerden was diagnosed with stage 4 Glioblastoma in 2023. With extensive medical treatment, the average life expectancy following a Glioblastoma diagnosis is 15 months.

Confronted with the end of his own life, the aircraft end-of-life expert had to adjust to his new reality. "I decided to have as much fun as possible. Do things with friends and family, attend international events to meet up with my friends in the aviation industry, and take up running again." When fellow aviation professional and music lover Paul Crezee proposed making a song about his life, Van Heerden immediately agreed—not knowing if he would be able to carry the project to completion. It turned out he could: Van Heerden is one of the 20% of Glioblastoma patients who survive for more than two years.

Van Heerden has had a long and distinctive career in aircraft recycling. A TU Delft graduate, he founded the aircraft disassembly company AELS (Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions) and served on the board of AFRA (Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association) as president. Following his diagnosis, he founded Aethos, a non-profit dedicated to improving aircraft materials recycling. The foundation is meant to be his professional legacy and parting gift, carrying on his efforts in promoting a more sustainable handling of materials in the aviation industry.

Van Heerden would love for his unusual music project to be picked up by the aviation media. "I'm incredibly proud of the song and had a great time creating it, so for me it is already a win. But it would be awesome if it goes on to generate publicity for Aethos, and raises awareness about the need for proper recycling of aircraft materials."

'Die Twice' is available today on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7uC3GCaSPdqvYGbNi2okfD?si%3D18f67551267541d2
https://music.apple.com/us/album/die-twice-single/1839296080
https://youtu.be/yACLeYEry1c  
www.aethos.aero
 https://www.linkedin.com/in/derk-jan-van-heerden-8181022/
 https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/zf1lygrn2qqtv4pkpko6f/AFrcgoMp3Jd_P83ifBLxtm4?rlkey=6o00kacz7n5wrih9se4crrdw1&st=58j2143a&dl=0

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/aethos---derk-jan-van-heerden-aircraft-end-of-life-experts-song-takes-flight-after-cancer-diagnosis-302624894.html