Viessmann Foundation Donates €5.6 Million to DKFZ for Cancer Prevention and Pediatric Oncology Research

Viessmann Foundation Donates €5.6 Million to DKFZ for Cancer Prevention and Pediatric Oncology Research

(IN BRIEF) The Viessmann Foundation has donated €5.6 million to the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) to advance research into cancer prevention through nutrition and the development of new treatments for pediatric oncology. This five-year funding will support vital research aimed at reducing cancer risks through diet and creating safer, more effective therapies for children with cancer. The Viessmann Foundation’s ongoing commitment to medical research reinforces its mission to create sustainable, healthier futures for all generations.

(PRESS RELEASE) HEIDELBERG, 4-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The Viessmann Foundation has made a landmark donation of €5.6 million to the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, aiming to support critical research in cancer prevention through nutrition and the development of new treatments for pediatric oncology. This five-year donation will enable groundbreaking work in two vital areas: exploring the link between nutrition and cancer prevention, and developing targeted therapies for children with cancer.

Max Viessmann, CEO of Viessmann Generations Group and Chair of the DKFZ Advisory Council, emphasized the importance of the partnership: “The DKFZ is a leader in cancer research, and we are proud to support their outstanding efforts. Our donation is a statement of solidarity, fueled by the belief that a future without cancer is possible. Research is key to shaping that future, for today’s generation and the generations to come.”

The donation will fund two major research initiatives. First, it will focus on investigating how nutrition can play a role in preventing cancer, aiming to create a scientific foundation for dietary strategies that could significantly reduce cancer risks. Second, it will accelerate the development of new medications for pediatric cancer, an area that remains underserved. Many adult treatments are unsuitable for children, so the funding will help create more effective and gentler treatments tailored specifically for young patients.

Prof. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Michael Baumann, Chairman and Scientific Director of DKFZ, expressed his gratitude: “This support is invaluable in enabling us to pursue our mission of developing better treatments for children and more effective cancer prevention strategies. Without the generosity of patrons like the Viessmann Foundation, such essential research could not proceed at the pace it requires.”

In addition to this generous donation, the Viessmann Foundation has a long-standing commitment to supporting medical research and institutions dedicated to cancer prevention and innovative therapies. The foundation recently contributed to the Frankfurt Foundation for Children with Cancer, further demonstrating its dedication to advancing healthcare for future generations.

The Viessmann Foundation’s philanthropic focus on cancer research aligns with its mission to co-create living spaces for generations to come. Through partnerships like this, the foundation continues to make meaningful contributions to society by supporting long-term projects that focus on both prevention and the development of life-saving treatments.

Viessmann Foundation GmbH

Founded in 2020, the Viessmann Foundation follows the guiding principle: “Co-create living spaces for generations to come – with everything we do.” From this guiding principle, three areas of action are derived: Sustainable Living Spaces, Future Generations, and Bringing Out the Best in All of Us. The Sustainable Living Spaces focus addresses sustainability projects, particularly those aimed at combating human-made climate change and developing climate-positive solutions. The Future Generations focus targets national and international projects in education and training for children and young people, as well as initiatives that promote the well-being and development of future generations. Bringing Out the Best in All of Us focuses on creating opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
Through these activities, the Viessmann Foundation aligns with the purpose of the Viessmann Generations Group and creates diverse opportunities through regional and international projects to make the world a better place.

About the German Cancer Research Center

With more than 3,000 employees, the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) is Germany’s largest biomedical research institute. DKFZ scientists identify cancer risk factors, investigate how cancer progresses and develop new cancer prevention strategies. They are also developing new methods to diagnose tumors more precisely and treat cancer patients more successfully. The DKFZ Cancer Information Service (KID) provides patients, interested citizens and experts with individual answers to questions relating to cancer. To transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improve the prognosis of cancer patients, the DKFZ cooperates with excellent research institutions and university hospitals throughout Germany.

Media Contacts:

Viessmann Generations Group
Byung-Hun Park
Vice President Corporate Communications
E: huni@viessmann.com
M: +49151-64911317

DKFZ
Sibylle Kohlstädt
Pressesprecherin
E: s.kohlstaedt@dkfz.de
T: +496221 42284

SOURCE: The Viessmann Group