Running for Hope – and for a Childhood Free from Cancer

On June 29th, I will be running the Hamburg Half Marathon alongside three wonderful women. We are running to raise awareness about childhood cancer and to collect as much money as we can — for the children who are fighting, for the families holding their breath, and for a future full of hope, where no child has to face this devastating diagnosis.

We are proud to run in support of Knack den Krebs, the charitable organization connected to the Children’s Cancer Center at the UKE Clinic in Hamburg. Their work funds vital research, innovative treatments, and emotional support for young patients — from music and art therapy to sports programs, special events, and financial assistance for families. For 50 years, they’ve been a lifeline for many, and with your help, they can reach even further.

This cause is deeply personal to me — our family was directly affected two and a half years ago.

Childhood cancer is rare, making up just 1% of all cancer diagnoses worldwide. Each year in Germany, around 2,200 children and adolescents are diagnosed, with approximately 160 cases in Hamburg and the surrounding area. The Children’s Cancer Center Hamburg is one of the largest in the country, caring for around 600 children annually.

The majority of cancer treatments administered to children are adapted from adult medications, as few therapies have been specifically developed or approved for pediatric use. This highlights the importance of raising awareness, as well as the critical need for increased investment in childhood cancer research.

Thanks to groundbreaking progress in medicine, around 80% of children survive today. But the remaining 20% still wait for answers, for alternative treatment options, for hope. Even for those who do survive, the road is long, marked by harsh treatment and long-term consequences, emotional strain, and an uncertain future.

We are running to help change that. We hope to raise as much money as possible to support the work of Knack den Krebs — and to contribute, in our small way, to a future where every child with cancer has a better chance.

From the bottom of my heart — thank you for your support.