Project: Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice

It is estimated that there are up to 50,000 children, adolescents and young adults living in Germany who suffer from illnesses or disabilities that shorten their lives to such an extent that they die at a young age. In order to provide them and their families with the greatest possible support on their difficult journey, the Sternenbrücke children's hospice opened in Hamburg in May 2003.

The Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice accompanies the sick young people and their relatives not only in the last phase of life, but also on the path of illness, which often lasts many years, as part of the relief care, which accounts for around 80 percent of the work of the children's hospice. Targeted offers support the families in being able to carry on their child's illness and help them to regain strength. The Sternenbrücke is financed to a large extent by donations, which are collected by both the Sternenbrücke Children's Hospice Foundation and the Hospice Friends Association.

The sick young people come to the Sternenbrücke children's hospice together with their families for at least 28 days a year (and for an unlimited period of time in the immediate last phase of life). The health and long-term care insurance companies cover around 60 percent of the costs, especially for the care of the sick child. The remaining 40 percent has to be financed by donations, as most families cannot bear the costs due to the strained financial circumstances, because caring for the child restricts professional activity and any reserves have to be used up. Therefore the Sternenbrücke is dependent on donations of 1.9 million euros per year.

Dr. Weigert has been supporting the Sternenbrücke children's hospice for many years.

Further information: www.sternenbruecke.de