Former Berlin mayor and author visit the pediatric department at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch

13/07/2026 12:07

For more than 30 years, the ICKE in Buch e.V. association has been creating a supportive environment and providing assistance for young patients with chronic illnesses at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch. Recently, former Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller and author Florian Schwiecker visited the ICKE association and the pediatric department at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch to raise awareness of its important work.

The ICKE association supports young patients at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch from a range of medical specialties, including oncology, rheumatology, general pediatrics, neonatology, and social pediatrics. Its goal is to complement medical care with personal support and help ease the burden on families during what is often a challenging time in the hospital. ICKE organizes and funds hospital clowns, art, music, and dance therapy, carnival celebrations, summer and Christmas parties, as well as a variety of recreational activities such as singing, arts and crafts, and painting. The association also covers the cost of craft and play materials for the kindergarten and hospital school. In addition, it supports families facing financial difficulties and, when necessary, helps them navigate bureaucratic challenges.

During their visit, Michael Müller and Florian Schwiecker were welcomed by Prof. Robert Krempien, Deputy Medical Director and Chief Physician of Radiation Therapy and Radiation Oncology, and Prof. Patrick Hundsdörfer, Chairman of the ICKE association and Chief Physician of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine at Helios Hospital Berlin-Buch. Together, they discussed the association’s history, current challenges in caring for children with chronic illnesses, and the vital importance of public support and donations. Former Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller said: “The work of the ICKE association clearly demonstrates that good healthcare goes far beyond medical treatment. Children with chronic illnesses and their families in particular need support that makes everyday life easier, provides hope, and gives them renewed strength.”

During a tour of the pediatric department, Michael Müller and Florian Schwiecker visited the wards and common areas used by young patients. The tour highlighted the importance of child-friendly spaces and additional support services for the well-being of children and their families, including siblings. The ICKE association also works closely with the McDonald's Kinderhilfe Stiftung, which operates the Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Oase on site to provide comprehensive support for families. Müller and Schwiecker also visited these facilities during their tour.

A special highlight for the young patients was a reading by author Florian Schwiecker. “Between the pages of a book, children can often find what everyday hospital life takes away from them: lightness, imagination, and a little carefree joy. Stories create places of refuge and offer moments when they can simply be children. The same is true of many of the other recreational activities that the ICKE association organizes with the help of donations,” says Florian Schwiecker.

The visit made one thing clear: for children with chronic illnesses and their families, the services provided by ICKE in Buch e.V. are far more than an additional form of support. They provide hope, ease the burden of treatment, and create moments of normality.

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