Cathy Matheï
xx xx, xxxx - xx xx, xxxx
Professor dr Catharina Matheï is no longer with us. After a short, intense but unwinnable fight against an aggressive tumor, dr Cathy at too young of age passed away on Friday 13 august 2021 surrounded by the loving care of her family. Professor Mathei served as a medical advisor of the Free Clinic in Antwerp – a low threshold service for PWUD. Prof. Dr. Mathei graduated as a medical doctor of the University of Antwerp in 1996 and received a PhD in medical sciences at the University of Leuven with the thesis: “The epidemiologyof hepatitis C among drugusers”. In 2010 she was appointed as Professor at the KUL at the faculty of Medicine, departement of Public Health and Primary care. She was a pioneer in the field of hepatitis and people who use drugs and an inspiration for a lot of colleagues now working in this field. At Free Clinic she inspired, supported and co-created different projects : -to start working with a hep C nurse in 2004; -to create a gender specific women's harm reduction project in 2007 -starting the first peer driven support for hep C : the C-Buddy project in 2009 -starting a harm reduction project for youngsters: Plug-INN in 2012 -giving the C-Buddy project a new start in the cooperation within 'The Antwerp Model' in 2015 -supporting the Expert-C project in St Niklaas in 2018 - and many more… Professor Cathy Matheï will be remembered for her many research and publications and contribution to several international appointements and positions, but especially for her passion in working with most vulnerable pwud, always advocating for their rights. Most of all Cathy will be remembered as a warm vibrant personality with a roaring laugh and big hart for people who use drugs. On behalf of the Free Clinic team
Condoleances
Peter Behits
I didn't know that Cathy was ill, for years she took care of me selflessly, made time for me it's so sad to hear this, she took care of me with all her strength, her persuasion, her drive, her disarming smile... It's taken her years and here I sit alive and well If only I could give something back. Sleep tight Cathy, You are the most beautiful person I've ever met in my life
Lucas Wiessing
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing away of my dear colleague Cathy. We have worked together for many years and developed a close friendship. Professor Cathy Matheï was an extraordinary sharp thinker with a deep understanding of the epidemiology and social aspects in our field of work. It was always a pleasure to write or talk with her and I am indebted for the many excellent contributions she made to our European work. I wish her family, friends and colleagues, and especially the people she used to help with their problems, enormous strength and hopefully some consolation from the important things she was able to achieve in her much too short career. Lucas Wiessing, PhD, Principal Scientist, EMCDDA