The tenth charity concert “Takte gegen Krebs” by the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg promises to be a spectacular event on November 28 at the Karlstorbahnhof: In addition to vibraphone and percussion, star drummer Vivi Vassileva will also make plastic bottles sing in the “Recycling Concerto.” Lucas Campara Diniz will accompany her on guitar. Instead of tickets, visitors to this special concert will purchase the bars of the compositions. The proceeds will benefit innovative and applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg – www.nct-takte.de.

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg.

This year's charity concert “Takte gegen Krebs” by the NCT Heidelberg promises extraordinary sounds. On November 28, star percussionist Vivi Vassileva will perform at the Karlstorbahnhof together with guitarist Lucas Campara Diniz. Their repertoire includes not only exciting arrangements of well-known classical and modern works for vibraphone and percussion, but also a spectacular “Recycling Concerto” for plastic bottles.

Vivi Vassileva is considered one of the most exciting percussionists of her generation – celebrated for her brilliant technique, captivating stage presence, and innovative approach to percussion. The 2024/25 season will see world premieres and tours with leading orchestras, including the Beethoven Orchestra Bonn and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Vassileva is shaping the concert landscape with new works and cross-genre collaborations. Numerous awards, including the 2023 Leonard Bernstein Award and the Bavarian Art Promotion Prize, underscore her extraordinary artistic significance.

Brazilian guitarist Lucas Campara Diniz combines virtuoso playing with artistic curiosity. Raised in southern Brazil, influenced by gaucho traditions, he won numerous awards at an early age. Today, he performs throughout Europe – at venues such as the Vienna Konzerthaus and leading festivals – and is shaping the further development of the guitar repertoire with his own works and commissioned compositions.

Dirk Jäger, Managing Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of Medical Oncology at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), says: “Our guests can look forward to an unusual and high-caliber program for the small anniversary of the tenth benefit concert. In addition, their visit will significantly advance progressive cancer treatment at NCT Heidelberg.”

Traditionally, guests at the charity concert purchase bars instead of tickets. At least one bars is required for admission. The proceeds will benefit innovative projects in applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg. Those who purchase more bars than they need for seats make an even greater contribution to supporting the NCT Heidelberg. Bars costing €35 each are available on the website www.nct-takte.de.

Stefan Fröhling, Executive Director at NCT Heidelberg and Head of the Department of Translational Medical Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), says: “We would like to thank all concertgoers for coming. You are helping us to research and implement ever better treatment options for our patients.”

Information at a glance

When: 
November 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.

Where: 
Karlstorbahnhof, Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 3, 69126 Heidelberg, Germany

Performers:
Vivi Vassileva, https://vividrums.com/
Lucas Campara Diniz, lucascamparadiniz.com

Buy tickets:
www.nct-takte.de or at the box office

Price:
35.00 euros per bar

Use of proceeds:
Innovative projects in applied cancer research at the NCT Heidelberg

Patron:
Eckart Würzner, Mayor of the City of Heidelberg

Contact:
Regina Hohmann, Donations Department at the NCT Heidelberg
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 56-36146; Email: fundraising(at)nct-heidelberg.de

An image accompanying this press release is available free of charge at:
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Press contact:
Dr. Martin Staiger
National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
Communications and Events
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Tel.: +49 6221 56-311272
Email: martin.staiger@nct-heidelberg.de
www.nct-heidelberg.de

The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg
The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospital Heidelberg (UKHD), the Heidelberg Medical Faculty of the Heidelberg University and the Thoraxklinik Heidelberg. The aim of the NCT Heidelberg is to transfer promising approaches from cancer research into clinical practice as quickly as possible, and thus to benefit patients. This applies to both diagnosis and treatment, in aftercare or prevention. Participation in clinical studies opens up access to innovative therapies. The NCT Heidelberg is thus a leader in transferring new research results from the laboratory to the clinic The NCT Heidelberg, founded in 2004, is part of the NCT with further locations in Berlin, Dresden, SouthWest (Tübingen-Stuttgart/Ulm), WERA (Würzburg, Erlangen, Regensburg, Augsburg) and West (Essen/Cologne).
 

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
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's 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:

• National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT, 6 sites)  
• German Cancer Consortium (DKTK, 8 sites)
• Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) Heidelberg
• Helmholtz Institute for Translational Oncology (HI-TRON Mainz) - A Helmholtz Institute of the DKFZ
• DKFZ-Hector Cancer Institute at the University Medical Center Mannheim
• National Cancer Prevention Center (jointly with German Cancer Aid) 

The DKFZ is 90 percent financed by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and 10 percent by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The DKFZ is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers.

Heidelberg University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine: Internationally Renowned Patient Care, Research and Teaching

Heidelberg University Hospital (Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, UKHD) is one of the largest and most prestigious medical centers in Germany. The Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University (Medizinische Fakultät Heidelberg, MFHD) belongs to the internationally renowned biomedical research institutions in Europe. Both institutions have the common goal of developing new therapies and implementing them rapidly for patients. Heidelberg University Hospital and the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University employs around 14.500 employees and is committed to providing trainings and qualifications. Every year, around 86,000 patients and more than 1.100.000 outpatient cases are treated in more than 50 clinical departments with almost 2.500 beds.

Together with the German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) and the German Cancer Aid, the UKHD established the first National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg. The goal is to provide care at the highest level as an oncology center of excellence and to rapidly transfer promising approaches from cancer research to the hospital. In addition, the UKHD operates in partnership with the DKFZ and the University of Heidelberg the Hopp Children’s Cancer center Heidelberg (KiTZ), a unique and nationally known therapy and research center for oncological and hematological diseases in children and adolescents.

The Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed) is one of the top medical training programs in Germany. Currently, there are about 4.000 future physicians studying in Heidelberg.