Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry of FC Bayern Munich spent a deeply meaningful day at the Haunersche Children’s Hospital in Munich, where they visited the pediatric oncology ward. The initiative was organized in collaboration with their respective foundations the Glaub an Dich Stiftung (Kimmich) and the Serge Gnabry-Stiftung and FC Bayern, highlighting the club’s ongoing commitment to supporting children with cancer and their families.
About Joshua Kimmich
Joshua Kimmich has long been engaged in philanthropic work through his Glaub an Dich Stiftung, which focuses on empowering children and young people facing difficult life circumstances. During the visit, Kimmich spent extensive time speaking with the patients, answering their questions, and offering words of encouragement.
He emphasized how meaningful the experience was for him, noting that the children’s excitement and resilience left a strong impression.
“You get the feeling they were all really happy about it, especially the things we brought and the chance for everyone to get a photo ”
he shared following the visit.
About Serge Gnabry
Serge Gnabry, through the Serge Gnabry-Stiftung, continues to support youth-focused health and social projects. His presence brought joy and energy to the ward as he interacted with approximately 20 young patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
Gnabry highlighted the emotion of the day, saying,
“It’s always special when you can give children some joy.”
He engaged with families, offered support, and participated fully in the activities arranged for the children.
Engagement With the Children
Accompanied by FC Bayern’s mascot Berni, the two players distributed gifts, signed autographs, and posed for photos. Their visit lasted more than two hours and provided a welcomed moment of distraction and delight for children and parents who spend many days in hospital settings.
The interaction was warm, unhurried, and deeply appreciated by both the families and the medical staff. For many of the young patients, meeting two of Germany’s most celebrated footballers was a moment of inspiration during a difficult journey.
Participation in the Charity Run Ceremony
Following the ward visit, Kimmich, Gnabry, and Berni took part in the awards ceremony for a charity run organized by the children’s hospital. Nearly 200 children and supporters joined the initiative, running to raise funds for pediatric oncology projects.
Kimmich praised the event, noting,
“It’s wonderful to see that the children have the awareness to want to run a lot to raise money for charity. It’s a fantastic initiative and overall it was a very nice day.”
Bayern’s Continued Commitment: €25,000 Donation
As part of FC Bayern’s broader charitable activities, the club recently donated €25,000 to support medical initiatives aimed at improving patient care, including in fields such as dementia research. These efforts reflect the club’s dedication to contributing meaningfully to healthcare advancement and community well-being.
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Written by Nare Hovhannisyan, MD