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KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl

The KiTZ Foundation in Memory of Kirstin Diehl aims to further improve pediatric cancer research and patient care for children suffering from cancer and to ease the fate of affected families.

Outstanding commitment to children's cancer research

The foundation was established in 2006 by Gerd and Gerda Diehl as the Kirstin Diehl Foundation in memory of their daughter Kirstin and was transferred to the German Cancer Research Center in 2021 as the KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl. The DKFZ is thus the trustee of the KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl. At the handover ceremony (see photo), Ursula Weyrich, Commercial Director of the DKFZ, paid tribute to the outstanding commitment of the Diehl couple, who were awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 2012.

v. l. Ursula Weyrich (kaufmännischer Vorstand DKFZ); Andreas Kulozik (Direktorium KiTZ, Leitung Kinderonkologie UKHD und Klinische Kooperationseinheit DKFZ); Gerda Diehl (Stifterin); Stefan Pfister (Direktorium KiTZ, Abteilungsleiter DKFZ, Kinderonkologe UKHD); Gerd Diehl (Stifter); Olaf Witt (Direktorium KiTZ, Leitung Klinische Kooperationseinheit DKFZ, Leitung KiTZ Clinical Trial Unit); Michael Baumann (Vorstandsvorsitzender DKFZ).

Kirstin Diehl, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Diehl, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 18. Despite her young age and her serious illness, the diagnosis prompted her to dedicate herself to cancer medicine and cancer research from then on.

Kristin Diehl died of cancer on February 12, 1997, at the age of 25. Her parents Gerd and Gerda Diehl built on their daughter's commitment and were honored for this on 3 December 2012, just as their daughter had been before, by being awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"We only truly live when we stand up for other people. Please continue where I had to stop!" (Kirstin Diehl)

The aim of the KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl is to promote science and cancer research as well as public health in the field of pediatric oncology. It supports projects in the field of innovative patient care and research at the KiTZ, as well as infrastructure projects and investments. Gerda Diehl hopes that many other companions will continue to donate to the trust foundation in memory of her daughter and that the foundation will motivate many more people to support pediatric oncology.

The KiTZ is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg University Hospital and Heidelberg University. It is both a therapy and research center for oncological and hematological diseases in children and adolescents.

Your contact for the KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl

Anja Kalb

Private Research Funding
German Cancer Research Center

+49 6221 42-5443
anja.kalb(at)dkfz.de