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vom 02.06.2020

NCT-RUNning against cancer: Alone. Together! Registration for the virtual NCT run open

Unfortunately, there was no alternative to cancelling this year's charity run of National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg due to the corona crisis. Yet, the organizers still want to keep the central idea of “NCT-RUNning against cancer” alive in 2020. As of now, NCT Heidelberg invites you to register for the virtual NCT run. Everyone can join from June 26th to 28th and run a distance of their choice. Together, the organizers want to reach the goal of 40,000 kilometres. The company SAP supports every kilometre run with 0.50 euros in favour of cancer research at 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) and the German Cancer Aid (DKH).

Normally, thousands of people get out to take part in the annual NCT run and set their individual sign against cancer. But the spread of COVID-19 was the inevitable reason to cancel the NCT run as a mass event on June 26th. 1500 runners were already registered. In addition to a refund of the entry fees, they also had the opportunity to donate them. More than 76 percent chose the "donate" option. “Especially in the current situation, this is not self-evident and not possible for everyone. Therefore, we are overwhelmed by the great support and thank you for 24,000 euros. This donation will benefit a patient-oriented project in the field of medical, nursing and scientific staff at NCT Heidelberg”, says Dirk Jäger, managing director at NCT Heidelberg and head of Medical Oncology at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD).

Despite the cancellation, it quickly became clear: "We want to keep moving especially during these times and make the central idea of 'NCT-RUNning against cancer' visible. Especially because the NCT run is not just a running event, but a sign of community. The idea of the virtual NCT run was born”, reports Stefan Fröhling, managing director at NCT Heidelberg and head of Translational Medical Oncology at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).

Under the central idea NCT-RUNning against cancer: Alone. Together! a collective action starts on June 26th. The virtual NCT run can be run anywhere: in the park or forest, on the treadmill or the tartan track. The virtual NCT run is contested alone or in a small group consisting of the permitted number of people in accordance to the current contact restrictions to curb the spread of COVID-19. Everyone sets their distance themselves. Inspired by our round course, it is not about top athletic performance, but about getting involved for others and the support of cancer research at NCT Heidelberg.

In order to be able to measure the mutual success, free online registration is required. Start numbers can be downloaded under www.nct-lauf.de. On our social-media channels the go-ahead for the virtual NCT-run will be given live on June 26th 2020 at 6pm. It can be run up to and including Sunday, June 28th. Together we want to reach the goal of 40,000 kilometres. Our partner SAP and its employees support every kilometre run with 0,50 euro. The proceeds will support innovative cancer research projects at NCT Heidelberg.

Using #nctlauf, participants can share their personal virtual NCT run on social media or send photos and small videos directly to the organizers: fundraising@nct-heidelberg.de. To thank you, 25 surprise packages from the limited NCT run edition will be raffled off among all entries.

In 2020, the run again is well received by politicians: Theresia Bauer, Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Science and Heidelberg Mayor Eckart Würzner, will support the run as patrons.

Facts overview:

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Press contact:
Dr. Friederike Fellenberg
National Center for Tumor Diseases Heidelberg (NCT)
Press and Public Relations
Im Neuenheimer Feld 460
69120 Heidelberg
Tel.: +49 6221 56-5930
Fax: +49 6221 56-5350
Email: friederike.fellenberg@nct-heidelberg.de
www.nct-heidelberg.de

Dr. Sibylle Kohlstädt
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Communications and Marketing
Im Neuenheimer Feld 280
69120 Heidelberg
Tel.: +49 6221 42-2843
Fax: +49 6221 42-2968
Email: s.kohlstaedt@dkfz.de
www.dkfz.de

Doris Rübsam-Brodkorb
Heidelberg University Hospital and Medical Faculty of the University of Heidelberg
Press and Public Relations
Im Neuenheimer Feld 672
69120 Heidelberg
Tel.: +49 6221 56-5052
Fax: +49 6221 56-4544
Email: doris.ruebsam-brodkorb@med.uni-heidelberg.de
www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de

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, Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) and German Cancer Aid. The NCT's goal is to link promising approaches from cancer research with patient care from diagnosis to treatment, aftercare and prevention. This is true for diagnosis and treatment, follow-up care or prevention. The interdisciplinary tumor outpatient clinic is the central element of the NCT. Here, the patients benefit from an individual treatment plan prepared in interdisciplinary expert rounds, so-called tumor boards. Participation in clinical studies provides access to innovative therapies. The NCT thereby acts as a pioneering platform that translates novel research results from the laboratory into clinical practice. The NCT cooperates with self-help groups and supports them in their work. Since 2015, the NCT Heidelberg has maintained a partner site in Dresden. The Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ) was established in Heidelberg in 2017. The pediatric oncologists at KiTZ work together in parallel structures with the NCT Heidelberg.

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
The German Cancer Research Center (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, DKFZ) with its more than 3,000 employees is the largest biomedical research institution in Germany. More than 1,300 scientists at the DKFZ investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and search for new strategies to prevent people from developing cancer. They are 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 all questions on cancer.
Jointly with partners from the university hospitals, the DKFZ operates the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) in Heidelberg and Dresden, and the Hopp Children's Tumour Center KiTZ in Heidelberg. In the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), one of the six German Centers for Health Research, the DKFZ maintains translational centers at seven university partner locations. NCT and DKTK sites combine excellent universtity medicine with the high-profile research of the DKFZ. They contribute to the endeavor of transferring promising approaches from cancer research to the clinic and thus improving the chances of cancer patients.
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 (UKHD)
Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) is one of the most important medical centers in Germany; Heidelberg University's Medical Faculty is one of Europe's most prestigious biomedical research facilities. Their shared objective is the development of innovative diagnostics and treatments and their prompt implementation for the benefit of the patient. The hospital and faculty employ approximately 13,000 individuals and are involved in training and qualification. Every year approximately 65,000 patients are treated as inpatients and 56,000 as day patients in more than 50 specialized clinical departments with around 2,000 beds, with more than 1 million patients being treated as outpatients. Together with the German Cancer Research Center and German Cancer Aid, the Heidelberg University Hospital established The National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg as the leading oncology center of excellence in Germany. The Heidelberg Curriculum Medicinale (HeiCuMed) is at the forefront of medical training in Germany. At present 3,700 aspiring physicians and doctors are studying in Heidelberg.

Noch 5 Tage bis zum virtuellen NCT-Lauf 2020: Alleine. Zusammen!