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).
On the occasion of this year's World Childhood Cancer Day on February 15, 2022, artist Verena Rau once again made the lights dance for our young patients. In front of the Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), she performed an LED light show where children and adolescents could watch from their rooms and dance their choreography with light gifts. The light show was organized by the parents' association "Aktion für krebskranke Kinder e.V. Heidelberg" (Action for Children with Cancer, Heidelberg), which supports children with cancer at the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ) every year with many beautiful activities and is already celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. "We have distributed pop-up lights and flashlights on all the wards of the children's hospital," reports Alicia Amberger, head of the sibling support campaign "Aktion für krebskranke Kinder e.V. HD," "With these, the children can join in and be a part of the show. Last year, the wonderful show already took place and this time, too, it caused great enthusiasm - not only among the young patients." Stefanie Baldes, First Chairwoman Aktion für krebskranke Kinder e.V. HD, is also pleased: "This joy and the glow in the eyes of the children was a very special moment for everyone involved. It is exactly what we at the Parents' Association are committed to: Helping the children and their families where they need support and also giving back some lightness once in a while."
The idea for the show was originally developed together with the psychosocial team at KiTZ. "The light show is a really wonderful campaign for which we would like to express our sincere thanks to the Parents' Association," says Peggy Lüttich, head of the psychosocial team at the pediatric oncology ward of Heidelberg University Hospital, which is part of the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg. "We would be very happy if - quite independently of the pandemic - it continues in the next few years. This is something very special for our young patients, who are often unable to attend events for the duration of their entire treatment and therapy. And even the littlest ones can watch the show from the window."
KiTZ children's reporter Vianne, who has been reporting on KiTZ and its work for children with cancer for more than four years, interviewed those involved and guided them through the program: "I thought the show was really nice and I was very happy to be there again. Volunteering for children with cancer and helping people learn more about childhood cancer is something I really enjoy doing."
View the video of the light show on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KiTZheidelberg/videos/342312907784318/
About the parents' association "Aktion für krebskranke Kinder e.V."
The "Aktion für krebskranke Kinder e.V. Heidelberg" was founded on December 10, 1982, by affected parents and employees of the oncology ward of Heidelberg University Children's Hospital and has thus been active for 40 years. In cooperation with the University Children's Hospital and the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), the association strives to improve the situation of families and their oncologically ill children and adolescents. Locally, the parents' association offers sibling care in the "Kinderplanet" and also looks after the parents' house, which gives parents the opportunity to be very close to their sick child.
Just like the umbrella organization, the association supports research in the field of childhood leukemia and tumor diseases. The association does not belong to any political party and is also non-denominational. It is registered in the Heidelberg Register of Associations and its non-profit status is recognized by the Sinsheim Tax Office as particularly worthy of support.
