Mainz
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The largest donation in the history of the reader campaign was made by Dr. Olaf Theisen (front left) in Rüsselsheim to the child cancer researcher Prof. Dr. Jörg Faber (2nd from left) and Prof. Dr. Pass Dietrich Körholz (2nd from the right). Jörg Hüsken (right) donated a rare Jensen CV 8 as the main prize.
Photo: Stephan Lindloff
With 600,000 euros, not only was the previous top result of the donation project, which has been running for more than three decades, significantly exceeded, but above all, important help was made possible for the children’s cancer wards at the Mainz and Giessen university clinics, which are facing enormous challenges in times of the corona virus. “We are very grateful for this considerable amount of donations and for the great willingness of our readers to support the important work of childhood cancer research,” said Dr. Olaf Theisen, publisher and managing director of VF Verlagsgesellschaft, handing over the donations.
A total of around 9 million euros has been collected for childhood cancer research since the fundraising campaign began. How important the support is, especially in the present, was made by Prof. Dr. Jörg Faber from the Children’s and Youth Center of the University Hospital Mainz at the handover in the Classic Depot in the former Opel factory in Rüsselsheim. Faber explained that this year’s donations will be used to strengthen the research focus “immunotherapy”. “These are new, innovative forms of treatment that use the body’s own immune system to fight cancer. These new cancer therapies are to be further optimized through basic research and tested in clinical research in order to continuously increase the healing prospects of the affected children and adolescents and improve their quality of life. “
Telemedicine is being further expanded in pediatric oncology
Last year, due to the pandemic situation, the telemedicine area at the Pediatric Oncology Center of the Mainz University Medical Center was “expanded with great vigor”, as Faber explained. The aim was to ensure excellent care also without contact. “These telemedical measures include, for example, telephone and video consultation hours with medical, nursing or psycho-oncological employees,” explained Faber. “In addition, digital offers have been set up for siblings who are not allowed to visit the pediatric oncology ward as usual due to the stricter visiting regulations.” The latter has an important function for the families who suffer particularly from the necessary restrictions.
As Faber explained, telemedical structures are to be expanded in the future regardless of the further development of the coronavirus. It is also about maintaining and promoting important social contacts. For young patients who have another way to go to the clinic, this also opens up new opportunities to fully benefit from individual advice and the best possible medical care from a distance. Prof. Dr. Dietrich Körholz from the Pediatric Oncological Center Gießen-Marburg reported full of gratitude for the help from the work at the University Children’s Clinic in Gießen and the international study center for Hodgkin lymphoma located there. “The corona pandemic led to a massive drop in donations last year,” reported Körholz. “We were very concerned that we would no longer be able to continue our ongoing research projects to improve the treatment of children and adolescents with cancer.”
Winner Klaus Hofmann (at the wheel) and his son Jan are happy about the Mercedes donated from the Westerwald, which Matthias Niewiem (left) presented as managing director of VF Verlagsgesellschaft. Photos: Stephan Lindloff
Photo: Stephan Lindloff
Körholz and his team reacted enthusiastically to the news that a record amount had been achieved through “Oldtimer Markt”. Research on lymph gland cancer in children and adolescents is thus significantly supported. “In recent years, thanks to these donations, we have been able to carry out a series of accompanying scientific projects in parallel to the world’s largest study on Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children and adolescents funded by the German Cancer Aid. Laboratory tests are carried out for the molecular characterization of the disease. By comparing the laboratory results with the treatment data from the study mentioned, many new findings emerge, ”explained Körholz. “On this basis, we will be able to tailor the treatment even more closely than before to the individual risk of the patient.”
In addition to healing, an important goal is to avoid long-term side effects of treatments – such as recurrent cancer. Radiation therapies in particular were identified as risky through this research and the treatments were optimized accordingly.
Elegant sports car from a noble British manufacturer
Due to the pandemic, this year the prizes were presented individually and under strict hygiene requirements instead of in a small ceremony as usual. This did not detract from the joy of the recipient. After all, Olaf Hülsmann from Georgsmarienhütte near Osnabrück would never have dreamed that he would ever be allowed to drive a Jensen CV 8. The elegant sports car from the small British noble manufacturer is not only reminiscent of price-intensive GT classics from Aston Martin with its lines – the two founders of the former small-series manufacturer also manufactured for large companies such as Volvo and Austin Healey. But their heart belonged to innovative sports cars that they developed themselves.
Jörg Hüsken from Radebeul in Saxony gladly donated the aerodynamic and powerful sports car dream in dark red metallic as the main prize for the campaign. On the one hand, because he wants to pass on the deep inner joy to Jensen and recently had not used this vehicle from his fine, small private collection enough. On the other hand, cancer in his close private environment was the trigger for his generous donation of the restored car. “Now was a great opportunity to pass on my CV 8 for this good cause,” said the entrepreneur, “I have always been enthusiastic about this fundraising campaign, because it is an important multiplier for further research funds.” Ultimately, it turns into additional research funding made possible in the first place.
The 51-year-old teacher Olaf Hülsmann could hardly believe his luck with the main prize. “I’ve been participating in the reader campaign for many years, and for me it was never primarily about winning anything.” The Jensen built in 1964 struck him as speechless: “This is a real rarity. I can’t even imagine driving it, it’s a real gem. “Gregor Schulz from the editorial team of” Oldtimer Markt “added:” It is the most expensive car that we have ever been given away. “
The winners of all seven vehicles received their “treasures” with great joy, including a fine Mercedes from a reader from the Westerwald, who was happy to donate the car that his wife always drives and cherishes for a good cause. A historic tractor was also donated from the Westerwald. At the handover, the tractor was just as much in the spotlight as the Jensen CV 8 – and the fight against cancer. Volker Boch