Between July and September, the annual charity regattas of the “Rowing Against Cancer” initiative will take place in nine cities throughout Germany. 

At locations such as the Kiellinie in Kiel and the Neckar river in Heidelberg, patients, physicians, rowers and other supporters will take up their starting positions to fight against cancer. In addition, each team makes a valuable and very concrete contribution of supporting cancer patients in their everyday life. How? The Foundation Leben mit Krebs (living with cancer) uses the income from the competitions to fund regional, therapy-supporting services in areas of oncology, particularly moderate sports and exercise programs, at the respective locations.

Over 25,000 rowers, over 100 regattas 

The charity regattas have been soliciting support for sports and exercise therapy services for cancer patients since 2005. 

The Foundation Leben mit Krebs has set itself the task of improving cancer patients’ quality of life. Among other objectives, the foundation is committed to establishing sports and exercise therapy as part of cancer therapies, as this can improve quality of life, capabilities, immune defense, therapy compatibility and social integration. 

They started the “Rowing Against Cancer” initiative in 2005 as a way to create public awareness on the topic and to activate patients and their relatives. Proceeds from the charity regattas have financed over 45 support projects for more than 200,000 patients throughout Germany. 

Education and support 

For years, Pfizer has supported the charity competition as a sponsor. This year, the company is participating in the regattas in Berlin, Kiel, Heidelberg, Offenbach and Mainz. Pfizer will present its online platform “Hilfe für mich” (support for me) at information stands at the regattas. Those affected and their relatives will find a great deal of information regarding lung, kidney and metastatic breast cancer. 

More information and "Rowing Against Cancer" 2023 venues can be found here.