The Foundation Kindness for Kids

Moving mountains for the little ones - in many small and big steps! 

Children with rare diseases need our support. Most of them suffer from a disease that is neither curable nor researched. This is precisely why we want to help them and their families. Ever since the establishment of the Munich-based nonprofit foundation Kindness for Kids in 2003 this has been a matter close to our hearts.

In the social sector, we plan, organise and personally accompany holiday breaks for sick children and their families. Additionally, we offer psychosocial counselling to support affected children and adolescents as well as their parents and siblings, in acute crisis situations.

In the research sector, we finance various projects focussing on health care research with the aim of improving the lives of those with rare diseases.

All donations go 100% towards our social or scientific projects, as all administrative costs are covered by the founders.

 

 Review

 

Key Figures 2023

  • 12

    family timeouts,
    children and adolescent camps, online camps

  • 141

    affected children,
    siblings and parents 
    experienced unique moments with us

  • 66

    caregivers
    and nurses have supported us

  • 1

    junior professorship
    in health care research was granted by us
     

  • 1

    current
    health care award was granted by us

  • 5

    symposiums were co-financed by us

What are rare diseases?

In Europe, a disease is defined as rare if it affects fewer than five in 10,000 people. More than 7,000 rare diseases are known to date. In Europe alone, there are an estimated 30 million people who share this common fate, which corresponds to around 5 per cent of the EU population. 72% of rare diseases are genetic and in many cases chronic and life-shortening.

Rare diseases are characterised by a wide variety of disorders and symptoms, which can be different not only for each disease but also for each individual patient. Due to their rarity, these diseases are often overlooked or misdiagnosed. The victims are usually young people, especially children.

What problems do those affected have to contend with?

Often only a handful of patients in the EU or even worldwide are affected by the same disease. As a result, many patients struggle with more or less the same problems.

  • Investing in research into rare diseases is usually not profitable for the pharmaceutical industry. As a result, there are only just under 220 drugs (as of June 2023) available that have been developed specifically for rare diseases.
  • As a result, there are hardly any effective drugs and therapies, let alone a chance of a cure.
  • Diagnosis is difficult, time-consuming and complex. As a result, the average time to diagnosis is between 5 and 7 years.
  • The children's everyday lives are characterised by long hospital stays and time-consuming visits to doctors and therapists.
  • The kind of social participation familiar to healthy children is usually not possible. Due to their illness, the children and their families often experience marginalisation and isolation.

Hardly any support, 
little hope 
for therapy, 
no voice.

Cooperations

ACHSE E.V.


The German Alliance for Chronic Rare Diseases (ACHSE) is an umbrella organisation with more than 130 self-help organisations that campaigns for the interests of people with rare diseases. ACHSE's goals include improving conditions for those affected with regard to new legislation in healthcare policy, increasing general knowledge about rare diseases and further improving and promoting the establishment of Germany-wide reference centres. 

EURORDIS


EURORDIS is a rare disease network of patient organisations with more than 900 members from over 70 countries. EURORDIS promotes both the Europe-wide networking of information and the improvement of cooperation between patient organisations as well as the comparison of European healthcare systems in dealing with rare diseases.

KINDERNETZWERK


The "Kindernetzwerk für Kinder, Jugendliche und (junge) Erwachsene mit chronischen Krankheiten und Behinderungen e. V." is an organisation that specialises in supporting children and young people with diseases, some of which are rare. The children's network offers addresses and information on 2,000 illnesses and disabilities.

LANDESHAUPTSTADT MÜNCHEN SOZIALREFERAT


Since 2015, the foundation has been an official cooperation partner of the City of Munich (Department of Social Affairs).