Sponsors

The major mission of the German Kids' Cancer Foundation (Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung) is to promote optimal care, best possible life quality and appropriate future chances for all children and teenagers with cancer. The organisation's includes providing information and advice for cancer kids and their families as well as support in socio-economic matters. The German Kids' Cancer Foundation finances clinical research projects to improve cure rates, promote the safety of treatments, find new therapies and to reduce or even prevent longterm side effects of children and teenagers with cancer.  www.kinderkrebsstiftung.de

The Spanish tenor José Carreras was diagnosed with leukaemia in July 1987. Thanks to a great health care team and continuous advances in cancer research, he recovered from the disease after undergoing a very aggressive treatment involving chemotherapy, radiation therapy and an autologous stem cell transplantation. In 1988, together with an enthusiastic team of scientists and businessmen, and with the support of his family he created the José Carreras International Foundation to contribute to the search for a cure for leukaemia. He wanted to give back for all those demonstrations of affection, equally to people and to science who helped him fighting the disease with affiliates in the U.S., Switzerland, and Germany. Since its beginnings the Foundation has pursued one great aim: "to reach a day when leukaemia is curable for all".  www.carreras-stiftung.de

The representatives of the "Tour of Hope" are a group of people raising money for cancer patients by performing a Goodwill-cycle tour every year. This campaign was initiated in 1983 by Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Fritz Lam­pert in Gie­ßen, Germany. Since then, donations of more than 22 million Euros have been collected. They have been exclusively used for sponsoring patients with cancer, while the campaign itself was sponsored by large companies and local humanitarian groups such as the "Men­schen für Kinder e.V." -association in Braunfels, Germany. This strategy was so well received by the public, that even celebrities from economy, business, politics and sports join the Tour every year to cycle for charity. All management of the donations belongs to the municipal authority of the City of Gie­ßen, Germany.  www.tour-der-hoffnung.de

BMBF-funded health research has contributed to many medical breakthroughs in the past. The aim of health research is to provide improved medical treatment in order to enhance people's quality of life. New and improved diagnostic procedures and therapies are being developed to help sick people more effectively. Also, new strategies of disease prevention are being created. Medical progress will also help to reduce costs. New surgical techniques will contribute to less invasive procedures, thus shortening the patient's stay in hospital.  www.bmbf.de