Who will win the race? The race between the sister cities Cambridge and Heidelberg and the German-Eight is anticipated with excitement. For the 7th time the Foundation Living with Cancer, the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg and the Rowing Society Heidelberg 1898 e.V. (RGH) organizes the event “rowing against cancer”. In July, 500 students of Heidelberg already collected 10.000 Euros in two charity runs to support the regatta. The entire proceeds of the event on September 17th 2016 will benefit the Foundation “Movement and Cancer” ate the NCT.
The NCT Heidelberg is a joint institution of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the University Hospital Heidelberg and the German Cancer Aid.
„Rowing against caner“ is nationwide ode of the biggest sport events. The event is carried out annually since 2005, at up to 12 different locations by the Foundation Living with Cancer. More than 18.000 people participated ever since. Heidelberg is looking forward to be part of the event again this year and will participate in 70 boats. The RGH prepares participants in three training sessions for the competition.
Proceeds of the regatta will benefit the program „Movement and Cancer“of the NCT. Donations this year are already at about 10.000 Euro. Around 500 students of the English Institute Heidelberg and the children sport school KISS of the TSV Handschusheim, with support of the Volksbank Kurpfalz eG collected the money. During two charity runs in July, they gave their best on the race track and laid the cornerstone for the sum of donations.
„We are overwhelmed by the amazing resonance of the regatta. We are happy to be able to support the improvement and extension of the sports program for cancer patients at the NCT”, explains Professor Dirk Jäger, Medical Director of the NCT, who himself will participate in a boat again this year. “Sport programs can substantially improve the life quality of patients during therapy”.
For the 7th time already, beginners, patients, physicians and professionals will compete against each other. Athletes will row a 300 meter distance in teams of four. Start of the first race will be at 9.00am at the Neckarwiese Neuenheim. The award ceremony is scheduled for 5pm. A special highlight will be the race between the sister towns Cambridge and Heidelberg and the German-Eight. Only a couple of weeks ago the team won the Olympic silver medal in Rio – now they row for a good cause on the Neckar. Carina Bär, who won gold in the Womens-four, wants to participate as well in Heidelberg.
Not only will it get exciting on the water during the third weekend of September. There will be a versatile supporting program with music and many attractions on the Neckarwiesen. Next to an entertaining stage program and information desks, the culinary well-being is also taken care of. The Rotary Club will once again support the event with a balloon competition. Attractive prizes will be awarded to the participants, whose balloon will fly the furthest. New this year is a quiz on rowing against cancer, developed by the software manufacturer Insinno. Insinno participates in the regatta since 2012. Participants can test their knowledge on “Movement and Cancer” and rowing at rgk.insinno.de and on-site on September 17th. The performance of the gymnastics team Heidelberg (KTG) around noon can be anticipated with excitement. Activities for children will make it a day, fun for young and old.
The large local athlete clubs Rhein-Neckar Lions, the Adler Mannheim, the SV Sandhausen, the TSG Hoffenheim, the SV Waldhof Mannheim and the track and field team Rio support the charity regatta. The athletes will compete in a celebrity- race and will donate jerseys with original autographs of the team. The jerseys will be distributed in a charity auction on e-bay as well as on the day of the race.
Patrons oft he event are Major Prof. Dr. Eckart Würzner und MLP-Founder Dr. h.c. Manfred Lautenschläger.