Rotary Hearts fundraise for childhood cancer and youth mental health issues. Rotary Hearts fundraise for childhood cancer and youth mental health issues. My guests this week are: Anne Goeres, Director Luxembourg Foundation for Children with cancer, Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner Vinciane Grevesse – Governor-Elect of Rotary Club's District 2160 for 2024-2025 Anastasia Vanden Berghe - President of Rotary Club Luxembourg Hearts for 2024-2025 Pol Bertems - Project Manager at Arcus asbl. Rotary Club Ambitions The vision of the Rotary Club was born in 1905 with Paul Harris, an attorney in Chicago, to bring together professionals from diverse backgrounds in order to exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary expanded its scope to engage in humanitarian service, locally and globally. Rotary members volunteer their time and skills across various focus areas, and with a global network of 1.4 million, the leverage potential to undertake impactful projects is substantial. For instance, Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, a public-private partnership led by national governments and consisting of six core partners: the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Rotary Clubs in Luxembourg Vinciane Grevesse has been a member of a Rotary Club since 2012 and is now Governor-Elect of Rotary Club's District 2160 for 2024-2025. Rotary District 2160, covers both Belgium and Luxembourg, comprising 68 Rotary Clubs and 5 Rotaract clubs (for young adults aged 18 to 30). Luxembourg has 14 Rotary Clubs and 1 Rotaract Club. Vinciane tells us about the Zesummen Ennerwee (travelling together) project which takes place on the last Sunday of September. The idea is to offer people with disabilities a day filled with joyful experiences of movement. From boat and horseback rides to journeys in vintage cars, tractors, and even airplanes, the day is dedicated to sharing moments across land, air and sea. English Speaking Rotary Hearts Club Anastasia Vanden Berghe is President of Rotary Club Luxembourg-Hearts 2024-2025. Luxembourg-Hearts is the only English-speaking club in Luxembourg. With the priority this year on children’s well-being and mental health related to children, Rotary Hearts are working with Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner for their Masquerade Charity Gala, on October 19th at Hotel Le Royale. Website: https://luxembourg-hearts.rotary2160.org/en/ Event Website : https://rotary-hearts-2160.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98062402/admin/feed/posts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rotaryhearts Anne GOERES, Managing Director at the Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner, talks about their three core missions: To help improve the physical and psychological condition of the child and their family Raise awareness of childhood cancer and defend the children’s rights Support actively onco-paediatric research by funding specific projects with one main goal: cure more children and cure them better. One of Anne’s significant achievements is developing FIGHT KIDS CANCER, an annual European call for projects dedicated to accelerating paediatric oncology research. In 4 years, Fight Kids Cancer funded 30 research projects for more than 18 million euros and in 11 different childhood cancer types. Childhood cancer is an umbrella term for more than 60 types of cancer that affect children and adolescents. Unlike adult cancers, which are often linked to lifestyle or environmental factors, the causes of childhood cancers are largely unknown. The most common types of childhood cancer include leukemia, brain tumours, and lymphomas. Children with cancer face unique challenges due to their developing bodies and minds. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery can significantly impact their growth and development. Additionally, the psychological and emotional toll on both the children and their families can be profound. The Foundation supports the daily life of families in need : every child with cancer living in Luxembourg or of which at least one parent works in Luxembourg can benefit from their services, from the very first day of diagnosis on. This includes information and help for financial and social matters, therapeutic support and also educational and recreational programmes. Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner is fully financed by donations. You can help by participating in the charity run Letz Go Gold at the end of September and / or join the Rotary Club Luxembourg Hearts 10th Anniversary Masquerade Gala This year, all funds raised from the gala will be dedicated to selected research programs on children's brain tumours. www.fondatioun.lu www.letzgogold.lu Rotary Hearts Club also works with Arcus, as one of their aims is to help children’s mental health. Pol Bertems, Arcus Project Manager, tells us more about the association. Arcus is a non-profit organisation in social, educational, and therapeutic work, primarily focusing on children, youth and their families. The "Kannerhaiser," operated by Arcus, are Children's Reception Centres that offer care and support to children and youth from challenging family backgrounds, often needing temporary separation from their parents. These centres create a safe, nurturing environment that focuses on health, academic growth, social and family bonds, autonomy, and structured daily routines. They also support children recovering from traumatic events and involve biological parents actively to strengthen family ties and provide educational guidance. Arcus also provides specialized accommodation for children and youth with psychological and physical issues stemming from abuse or neglect, collaborating with child psychiatry experts for personalised therapies. A primary objective is to foster independence, particularly for youth aged 12 and older. The centres, spread across 18 living groups with over 136 spots, are located in various areas like Grevenmacher, Olingen, and Echternach, catering to children and teenagers aged 3 to 20 years. The Animal Assisted Pedagogy and Therapy project at Kannerhaiser allows children to be surrounded by a range of animals, including horses, donkeys, sheep, alpacas, dogs, cats, chickens, and rabbits. These animals do not judge or hold prejudices, offering a unique, unbiased interaction for the youngsters, who often face judgment and bias in human interactions. Working with animals can significantly boost children's self-confidence and trust in themselves and others. It also aids in their integration into group settings. www.fondatioun.lu www.letzgogold.lu https://www.facebook.com/Arcus.asbl https://www.instagram.com/Arcus_asbl/ https://www.Arcus.lu/ Website: https://luxembourg-hearts.rotary2160.org/en/ Event Website : https://rotary-hearts-2160.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98062402/admin/feed/posts/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rotaryhearts
