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.
It 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.
Kirstin Diehl, the daughter of Gerd and Gerda Diehl, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 18. Despite her young years and her severe illness, the diagnosis was the reason for her to commit herself to cancer medicine and cancer research with great dedication. Kristin Diehl died of cancer on February 12th 1997. Her parents Gerd and Gerda Diehl continued their daughter's commitment. On December 3rd 2012 they were honored by being awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, as their daughter had been before.

The purpose 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 KiTZ, as well as infrastructure projects and investments.

DKFZ is a trustee of the KiTZ Foundation in memory of Kirstin Diehl.
The "Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg" (KiTZ) is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the Heidelberg University Hospital and the Heidelberg University. It is a combined center for therapy and research for oncological and hematological diseases of children and adolescents.