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).
Compared to adults, cancer is rare in children. However, the disease is still the most common fatal disease in children, with about 2000 newly diagnosed cases per year in Germany. Despite enormous medical progress in other areas, the cure rate has not improved significantly over the past 30 years. "Immunotherapies or other innovative treatment methods, such as those being developed in adult oncology, are largely lacking for children. One fifth of all children suffering from cancer do not survive the disease," emphasizes Andreas Kulozik, Director at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) and Head of the Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD).
To draw attention to the urgent need for action in pediatric oncology and to raise funds for the development of better treatment options for children with cancer, more than 200 florists throughout Germany are selling flowers this year under the KiTZ motto "For a childhood without cancer". Customers can find the participating florists on the KiTZ homepage. Florists may still register during the campaign until the end of June to participate.
„Flowers are beautiful gifts that stand for vitality and joie de vivre, and we hope that they will give courage to a great many affected families," says Christine Veauthier, Public Relation Manager from Fleurop AG. "Florists are true artists and with their creative and very individual floral art they can give comfort and hope in a very special way," agrees Michael Rhein from the Executive Board of the Fachverband Deutscher Floristen e.V. "We are very pleased to support this beautiful campaign together with our members for the second year already."
On the KiTZ social media channels, during the campaign period, participating florists can describe what moves them about the topic of childhood cancer and which floral creations they sell for the benefit of children. KiTZ also offers further information there on the development, diagnosis and therapy of childhood cancer.
A prominent supporter of the campaign is actress and dubbing artist Anja Kling, who has been an ambassador for KiTZ and children with cancer since 2016. "I was very touched by the work of the people at KiTZ and their commitment to their young patients. The campaign is a really nice way to show affected families: You are not alone," says Anja Kling. "That's why I hope quite a few people go to their favorite store in May to buy flowers for the KiTZ motto "A childhood without cancer.", just like I’ll do." But she won't reveal who she's giving her flowers to until after the campaign launches.
Further information (page in German):
Blumen schenken. Hoffnung spenden.
The campaign on Instagram: @blumenschenken.hoffnungspenden and @kitz_hd
