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Press release from Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD)

Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, and the Bergstraße Breast Center (BZB) at Kreiskrankenhaus Bergstraße (KKB) are joining forces in October to send a visible message against breast cancer. With a Pinktober campaign offering a wide range of activities, they are showing solidarity, providing information, and raising awareness. Queen Silvia of Sweden is the symbolic patron.

When Heidelberg Castle and Starkenburg Castle in Heppenheim are currently lit up in bright pink, it is much more than just a beautiful sight: it is a shining symbol of solidarity, designed to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage those affected.

Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer among women in Germany. Around 70,000 women are diagnosed with it every year in this country – that's about one in eight women in the course of their lives. The good news is that if breast cancer is detected early, the chances of recovery are very good. Regular participation in preventive examinations such as mammography screening can significantly reduce the risk of death. The Pinktober campaign therefore aims not only to show solidarity, but also to inform and raise awareness – for attention and early diagnosis.

Together, Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, and the Bergstraße Breast Center (BZB) at Kreiskrankenhaus Bergstraße (KKB) are participating in Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October – known as “Pinktober” – with numerous activities and a clear goal: to promote education, strengthen solidarity, and give hope.

The campaign kicked off emotionally with a reenactment of a human pink ribbon – the world-famous symbol of the fight against breast cancer. Employees from all participating institutions formed a ribbon together, sending a message that was visible from afar.

The MLP Academics Heidelberg basketball team is making a sporting statement: at their home game on October 25 against Fitness First Würzburg Baskets, the players will wear jerseys specially designed for Pinktober. Tickets are available on the MLP Academics Heidelberg website at www.mlp-academics.de. Other highlights of the month include the charity concert “Strong Voices for Strong Women” at the Heppenheimer Amtshof, the exhibition “Let Your Scars Shine” by the artist collective “buusenkollektiv” at the Bergstraße District Hospital, and a painting competition at schools. Information events in Heidelberg and Heppenheim also offer patients, relatives, and interested parties the opportunity to exchange ideas and obtain information.

Wide-ranging expertise

The UKHD, NCT Heidelberg, and BZB stand for highly qualified, individualized, and holistic care for breast cancer patients. The Heidelberg University Women's Hospital is home to one of the largest certified breast centers in Germany, offering state-of-the-art diagnostics, reconstructive breast surgery, and comprehensive support from breast care nurses and psycho-oncologists. The NCT Heidelberg combines excellent cancer research with interdisciplinary care, supported in part by the innovative Breast Cancer Navigators project. The BZB offers people in the region access to cutting-edge medicine close to home with an experienced interdisciplinary team, psychosocial care, a therapeutic children's group, and close ties to regional self-help groups.

As part of Pinktober, donations are collected that directly benefit projects that provide concrete support to breast cancer patients. These include the therapeutic children's group at the Bergstraße Breast Center, the breast cancer navigator program at NCT Heidelberg, EmpowerCare—a project to develop instructional videos for breast cancer patients—and the Pink Café at Heidelberg University Hospital.

“Pink is much more than just a color in October. It stands for early diagnosis, the best possible care, and solidarity,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Markus Weigand, Deputy Chief Medical Director at Heidelberg University Hospital. “The fact that Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden has taken on the symbolic patronage of Pinktober 2025 is a special honor and underscores the importance of our joint efforts in the fight against breast cancer.”

Become part of Pinktober now and make a donation. Every contribution helps to further expand the specific support services and directly empower affected patients.

Donation account

Heidelberg University Hospital
IBAN: DE34 6725 0020 0009 3806 55
Reference: Spende Pinktober
 

Event program “Pinktober – Together against breast cancer!”

October 1-31
Heidelberg Castle illuminated in pink
Heidelberg

October 1-31
Starkenburg Castle illuminated in pink.
Heppenheim

September 24-October 31
Exhibition “Let Your Scars Shine”
With pictures by photographer Chap Chaplin.
Kreiskrankenhaus Bergstraße (1st floor), Heppenheim

October 8, 2025, 7 p.m.
Benefit concert “Strong voices for strong women!”
Jazz choir Mixed Singers, New Harmonists, Duo Rutz
Kurfürstensaal, Amtsgasse 5, Heppenheim

October 16, 2025, 7 p.m.
Lecture event “Medicine in the Evening”
“Pinktober – Together Against Breast Cancer: Opportunities and Challenges”
Lecture hall of the Head Clinic (Kopfklinik)
Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, Heidelberg
Prof. Dr. med. Andreas Schneeweiss, Head of Gynecological Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital
PD Dr. Laura Michel, Senior Physician, Department of Medical Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) Heidelberg, Heidelberg University Hospital
www.medizin-am-abend.de

October 18, 2025, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Breast Cancer Patient Day
Breast Center, University Women's Hospital
Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, Heidelberg
Under the direction of:
Prof. Oliver Zivanovic, MD, Medical Director of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Head of the Center for Gynecological Cancer, Spokesperson for the Women's Clinic
Dr. Andrea Lemke, MD, Attending Physician in Gynecology and Obstetrics, Head of the Senology/Breast Center Section, Heidelberg University Hospital

October 21, 2025, 5 p.m.
Information event “Focus on women: Breast health and other secrets of the female body”
Kurfürstensaal, Amtsgasse 5, Heppenheim
Dr. Cordula Müller, Chief Physician of Gynecology, Head of the Bergstraße Breast Center, Bergstraße District Hospital

October 25, 2025, 8 p.m.
MLP Academics Heidelberg game
against Fitness First Würzburg Baskets in specially designed jerseys
SNP Dome, Heidelberg

Further information

Further information on the campaign and all events can be found online at www.pink-gegen-krebs.de

You can find the program flyer here

Press contact Bergstraße District Hospital

Cathrin Müller
Phone: 06252-70192 388
Mobile: 0172-6900369
Email: cathrin.mueller(at)kkh-bergstrasse.de
Kreiskrankenhaus Bergstraße
Viernheimer Straße 2
64646 Heppenheim

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.

Julia Bird
Press Officer
Acting Press Officer and Head of Corporate Communications
Tel. +49 6221 56-7071
julia.bird(at)med.uni-heidelberg.de