The “Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg” (KiTZ) is a joint initiative of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), and Heidelberg University (Uni HD).
With the first warm rays of sunshine, the season of flowers is finally here again, and with it comes a particularly beautiful spring campaign: Under the motto “Give flowers. Spread hope.”, flower shops and garden centers across Germany are supporting children with cancer from April 20 to May 16.
The campaign is being launched by the Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ). The goal is to raise awareness of the situation faced by affected families and to support urgently needed childhood cancer research.
“Young cancer patients have very different conditions than adults. Many treatment approaches from adult oncology cannot simply be applied to children,” explains Andreas Kulozik, Director at KiTZ, Medical Director of the Department of Pediatric Oncology at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), and Head of the Clinical Cooperation Unit for Pediatric Leukemia at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). “Although about 80 percent of affected children in Germany can be cured today, around 20 percent die from the disease. Standard therapies often have no effect, particularly in cases of brain tumors and other high-risk diseases.”
Numerous florists, nurseries, and garden centers across Germany are participating in the campaign. For every flower or plant sold with the campaign label, a donation goes to pediatric cancer research at KiTZ. In recent years, this initiative has already raised a total of approximately 490,000 euros.
Since 2021, the campaign’s partners have been the Professional Association of German Florists (FDF) and Fleurop AG. The latter is not only involved as a partner but has also created its own KiTZ charity bouquet, which will be available online year-round for the first time in 2026. For every bouquet ordered, two euros go directly to research at KiTZ. In addition, the campaign is supported by 70 other companies and associations from the green industry.
A special supporter of the campaign this year is 18-year-old mountain biker Mailo Grühn from Gera. At the age of seven, he was diagnosed with a malignant kidney tumor and battled the disease for many years. By the age of 17, he was considered to have exhausted all treatment options, until he was successfully treated last summer at KiTZ with a novel immunotherapy. Since then, Mailo has been back on his bike almost every day and shares his experiences on Instagram. “It’s like I have a new life,” says Mailo. “I’ve experienced firsthand what modern pediatric cancer research can achieve, and I hope that many other children get this chance.”
Thanks to his commitment, a florist from Gera is participating in the campaign for the first time this year: “I hope I can motivate many people, including those in the cycling community, to make a contribution with a bouquet of flowers and make a statement on social media.”
The proceeds from the campaign will once again fund a new research project by the “EU CAN KIDS” alliance, in which KiTZ is collaborating with two of Europe’s leading pediatric cancer centers: the Prinses Máxima Centrum in Utrecht and the Institut Curie in Paris. Through “EU CAN KIDS,” the three centers of excellence aim to create better conditions for children with cancer in Europe through joint projects, ensuring that all young patients have access to modern treatment methods.
Anyone wishing to buy flowers for a good cause can find all participating stores and further information on the KiTZ website. Florists also share their motivations and showcase their floral creations on the campaign’s Instagram profile @blumenschenken.hoffnungspenden. Additionally, KiTZ provides information there about childhood cancers and the “EU CAN KIDS” alliance.
