Florists collect 135,504 euros for children's cancer research at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center in Heidelberg

Children and young people with cancer need better and child-friendly therapies. This is what the donation campaign "Give Flowers. Spread hope." of the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) is about. From April 15 to May 12, around 350 florists across Germany sold floral creations for children's cancer research. The campaign was supported for the fourth time by the Fachverband Deutscher Floristen e.V., Fleurop AG, more than 60 wholesale flower markets and numerous supporters on social media.

The 2024 campaign proceeds will go to these research teams from KiTZ, UKHD and DKFZ to develop new, precise diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for childhood tumors: (from the left) Dr. Kristian Pajtler, Head of Molecular Oncology, Dr. Ina Oehme, Head of Drug Testing, Dr. Robert Autry, Head of Clinical Bioinformatics, Dr. Roland Imle, Tumor Surgery. © Marius Stark/KiTZ

The Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and the University of Heidelberg (Uni HD).

This year, the main share of the campaign proceeds of 135,504 euros will be used to develop a new precision procedure for children with bone, soft tissue and brain tumors. "These children and adolescents are comparatively often high-risk patients because the tumors often recur and spread," explains Roland Imle, scientist and physician at KiTZ and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), who is coordinating the research project. "Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatment methods for these cancers, but physicians have little indication in advance of which young patients will actually respond to this intensive therapy." Together with three other research groups at KiTZ, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), a method is to be developed to reliably predict which young patients will benefit from radiotherapy. "We are delighted that this project can be realized with the donations from the campaign," says Imle, expressing his thanks.

"Our thanks go to the Fachverband Deutscher Floristen e.V., Fleurop AG, the wholesale flower markets and especially the many florists who have made this campaign possible for the fourth time and helped it achieve this great donation result!" says Frederike Scheurer, organizer of the campaign and fundraiser at KiTZ. "We would like to thank everyone who supported our campaign by buying flowers, posting positive messages on social media and taking part in many creative activities," emphasizes Scheurer. She was particularly touched, for example, by an affected florist who shared the story of her niece with cancer with her customers in her store and provided information about childhood cancer. "Another florist started a Mother's Day campaign together with a school, where the children gave their mothers lavender plants to benefit the campaign. Other florists organized flower workshops and donated the proceeds to the campaign. These many activities not only help children's cancer research. They are also a fantastic, encouraging signal to the families affected," says Scheurer, emphasizing the special nature of the campaign. 

The campaign ended in flower stores on May 12. However, you can still order a "charity bouquet" for KiTZ from Fleurop AG's flower delivery service until the end of June to bring joy to loved ones and support cancer research for child-friendly therapies.
 

Dr. Alexandra Moosmann

Head KiTZ Communications

Postal address:
Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3
69120 Heidelberg

 

Dr. Larissa Fritzenschaf

KiTZ Online Editor

Postal address:
Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3
69120 Heidelberg

 

Svenja Schmitt

KiTZ Social Media

Postal address:
Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg
Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3
69120 Heidelberg