The "Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg" (KiTZ) is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and Heidelberg University (Uni HD).
Who hasn't heard the story of the little prince who lands far from his home planet in the African desert and asks a stranded pilot to draw a sheep for him. Inspired by the poetic tale by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Gisbert Näther and Michael Strecker composed a musical orchestral piece for children and young people.
On December 15, the SAP Symphony Orchestra performed the family concert in the foyer of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) for all young patients and hospital staff. The concert was organized by the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), which also includes the children's oncology ward of the Children's Hospital.
Under the musical direction of Martin Spahr, who also took on the role of narrator, the touching story of the boy who meets strange adults on his journey to various planets and longs for his beloved rose was performed in front of an audience of around 80 young and old.
"A big thank you to the SAP Symphony Orchestra for this wonderful musical journey for our young patients," said Andreas Kulozik, Director of KiTZ and Medical Director of the Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology, Immunology and Pneumology at UKHD.
This is the third time that the SAP Symphony Orchestra has played for the patients of KiTZ and the Children's Hospital on a voluntary basis. "A stay in hospital is never nice. With our music, we want to give the children and their families wonderful moments together," says Christian Stumpf, Managing Director of the SAP Symphony Orchestra. "Our concert is also a thank you to the staff at the children's hospital, who work hard every day for sick children and their families."
The proceeds from the concert went to the KiTZ to support the "Give time" project, which finances additional staff positions and activities for the young patients at KiTZ and their families. "We're already looking forward to the next concert with you!" said Christian Stumpf to the young audience.
