Broad Funding for Promising Würzburg Cancer Research Projects

For six years now, "Forschung hilft", the foundation for the promotion of cancer research at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU), has been collecting donations to support as many promising and interesting oncological research projects as possible in annual distributions. At a charity gala on 28 November 2023, 19 Würzburg research groups received funding awards totalling over 231,000 euros.

How can genetically modified, endogenous defence cells be optimised for use in kidney and adrenal tumours? Which new biomarkers can be used to detect neuroendocrine tumours much earlier than before? What needs to be done so that macrophages, also known as scavenger cells, turn against the tumour cells of melanoma? Research ideas such as these were categorised as worthy of funding by the independent, external prize jury this year.

A Focus on Immunotherapies

"Overall, the award-winning projects show a focus on immunotherapies," comments Professor Hermann Einsele from the "Forschung hilft" Foundation Board. The Director of the Medical Clinic II of the University Hospital of Würzburg (UKW) and spokesperson of the National Centre for Tumour Diseases (NCT) WERA continues: "This shows once again that this multifaceted treatment approach for numerous forms of cancer probably represents the greatest hope for long-term tumour control and cure. I am delighted that working groups from all areas of cancer research and cancer treatment are being honoured here. This also documents the breadth of clinical and scientific expertise in tumour therapy at the University Hospital of Würzburg."

Special Prize in Memory of Barbara Stamm

In addition to the regular sponsorship prizes, the Barbara Stamm Memorial Prize was awarded for the first time at the charity gala at the Best Western Hotel Rebstock in Würzburg. The former President of the Bavarian State Parliament served as Honorary President of the foundation until her death in 2022. "This award is specifically intended to honour patient-oriented research projects that focus on improving the quality of life of those affected," explained the laudator of the special award, Dr Hülya Düber, Social Affairs Officer of the City of Würzburg, at the gala.

Klaus Holetschek, Member of the State Parliament, was the patron of the event. In his speech, the chairman of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bavarian state parliament said: "Barbara Stamm was the social conscience of Bavaria. With her big heart, she cared, fought and stood up for those who were not on the sunny side of life. She always thought in terms of people, which is why this special award is simply perfect for her. Because here, the focus is on the patients. The special prize honours research that can significantly improve the quality of life of cancer patients. And that is incredibly important. Barbara Stamm is being honoured here in her memory. In her spirit, I wish her research projects many and significant successes that are tangible for patients."

The project of an interdisciplinary research team led by Professor Imad Maatouk from the UKW's Medical Clinic II fulfils these criteria for the first award. Its aim is to develop an intervention consisting of personal and digital components that will enable relatives to actively participate in the recovery process of oncological patients. The prize money of 5,000 euros was provided this year by Hilfe im Kampf gegen Krebs e.V. (Help in the fight against cancer). The Würzburg-based organisation established the "Forschung hilft" foundation in 2017.

Extensive Fundraising Efforts

"Including this year's prizes, we have distributed a total of almost 679,000 euros since the foundation was established," summarises Gabriele Nelkenstock, Chairwoman of the Foundation Board and the "Hilfe im Kampf gegen Krebs" association. Considerable effort is required to acquire these funds. "The key to raising donations is public visibility, for example through presentations at patient days and associations or information stands at events such as the Würzburg City Festival," explains Nelkenstock.

According to her, the foundation used the time of the coronavirus pandemic, when contact was inevitably limited, to organise donor care and donation acquisition via online media. The foundation's office is now supported by a new member of staff who focuses on the digital sector. "This is one of the reasons why we were able to maintain the volume of donations in 2021 and 2022. For 2023, we are expecting an increase of at least 20 per cent compared to previous years," announces the Chairwoman of the Foundation Board.

Positive Effects in Many Directions

In the experience of the Foundation's Council and Advisory Board, a donation to "Forschung hilft" and the sponsorship awards it funds have numerous positive effects. First and foremost, the focus is on those affected by cancer. "What is still a research idea today can ideally lead to our healthcare system being able to offer these people further beneficial therapies in the future," emphasises Walter Nussel, Member of the Bavarian State Parliament and member of the Foundation Board.

Würzburg will also be strengthened as a centre of science. "The foundation supports Würzburg University Medicine in expanding its outstanding reputation as a centre of excellence in cancer research. The number of 49 prizes awarded to date alone underlines the breadth and consistency with which we support our highly committed scientists," explains Professor Paul Pauli, President of JMU.

Attractive Location for Young Scientists

Professor Einsele adds: "In particular, the award as the main location of the NCT WERA in February this year helps us to attract excellent thought leaders from Germany and abroad to Würzburg. Together with the prospect of largely unbureaucratic funding from 'Forschung hilft', this also increases the attractiveness of the location for young scientists."

In Professor Matthias Frosch's experience, the funding awards are both an aid and a motivational boost for the award-winning scientists. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at JMU explained: "The funds provided often help the teams to overcome a crucial financial hurdle. There is also an emotional aspect: many recognise the special appreciation for their commitment and scientific work in this support financed by the general public."

Oliver Jörg, Secretary General of the Hanns Seidel Foundation and member of the Foundation Council, summarised: "Today is a great day for the Foundation. A day that sets the course for cancer research and enables new milestones in the fight against cancer."

Thanks to the Supporters

According to organiser Gabriele Nelkenstock, the award ceremony is the highlight of the foundation's year. She emphasises: "The foundation can only operate so successfully thanks to a large network of supporters and donors." Her special thanks go to the sponsors of the charity evening: the Best Western Premier Hotel Rebstock, Distelhäuser Brauerei, Sparkasse Mainfranken Würzburg, TV Mainfranken, Patisserie Walter, Weingut Christine Pröstler, greenlife Floristik, TELLiT! Designwerkstatt, the companies Franken Brunnen, Viktor Nußbaumer and Schraud & Baunach as well as the magician Bernd Zehnter.

Anyone who wants to help shape cancer research in Würzburg can support the "Forschung hilft" foundation by making a donation to the following account:

Stiftergemeinschaft der Sparkasse Mainfranken Würzburg

IBAN DE19 7905 0000 0000 0655 65