Text by Bianca Cortese
On Saturday, the Esswerk in Eschen was transformed into a stage brimming with music, culinary delights and lived solidarity when the CCF Children Cancer Foundation invited guests to the White Charity Party.
'What a sight!' These were the opening words of Fabienne Lemaire, Head of Communications at the Children Cancer Foundation (CCF). Around 300 guests dressed in white had gathered at the Esswerk in Eschen. 'You're not just enjoying a nice evening tonight; you're also showing your solidarity,' Lemaire continued. 'We know that life has good and bad times. When you experience how fragile everything can be, you realise all the more how valuable joy, laughter and community are. Celebrating, laughing and dancing are all good for the soul. With this evening, we are passing on a piece of joie de vivre to all those who are going through a difficult time. This is only possible as a community.'
Help that gets through, new locations and fresh energy
The story of the Children Cancer Foundation (CCF) began long before its official establishment in 1997. Friedhelm Gruber arrived in Liechtenstein in 1984 and was impressed by the country's high standard of living. However, personal tragedy was about to change everything: his godchild died of leukaemia in 1991. At that time, the survival rate for children with cancer was just ten per cent. Today, thanks to research and improved therapies, 70 to 90 per cent of affected children survive. 'I was so lucky in life — and when my godchild died, I knew I wanted to give something back,' he says. He set up a foundation with friends, initially naming it the "European Foundation for Children with Cancer". However, the long name caused practical problems; banks would only accept 30 characters for the intended purpose. In 2023, the name was therefore shortened to the current name, CCF: short, catchy and easily understood internationally. Since May 2025, the foundation has also had a new website.
Its commitment has grown steadily since then: over CHF 21 million has been raised in recent years, of which around CHF 16.5 million has been distributed to affected families. A large proportion of this comes from charity events, particularly "Golfing with Heart". Over ten million francs have already been raised there alone. 'It is also important to us that donations are always used locally,' Gruber emphasised. The foundation provides support where official bodies are unable to help, covering everything from wage replacement and transport and catering costs to repairing the family car and caring for siblings. The foundation has also supported hospital projects, such as renovating a paediatric cancer ward, replacing defective equipment, and making rooms more child-friendly. Later, laptops and games were purchased for the children. "The doctors are often very grateful, while hospital administrators are reluctant," says Gruber.
Partner project: Strength and Joy at the Bedside
Another special highlight of the evening was a visit from the KinderKlinik Fit (KiKli Fit) team at Inselspital Bern. 'What they do is truly inspiring,' said Lemaire. Children with cancer spend most of the day in bed, which can result in muscle loss, joint pain and difficulty readjusting to everyday life. 'Imagine having to lie like that for weeks or months. It's even worse for children who have an urge to move," explained the team. KiKli Fit addresses this issue by providing playful sports and exercise therapy directly at the patient's bedside. "We go from room to room, bringing colourful equipment and using every available space — even the corridor," say the therapists. Physical health is just as important as mental well-being. "It's about the children laughing, having fun, and temporarily forgetting about their illness." As valuable as the work is, securing funding remains a challenge. 'We have to fight for our therapies. Health insurance companies cover little to nothing, even though exercise at school is compulsory and a right for children," explained those responsible.
What are their goals? To make the programme available not only in Bern, but in all paediatric hospitals in Switzerland. They also want to go one step further: They want to organise excursions and joint activities to give families carefree moments that will give them strength for the long road to recovery.
Donations that bring double the joy
That evening, Herzog & Loibner also made a strong statement: the girls, Charlotte and Marie-Sophie, presented bracelets produced especially for the White Charity Party, with proceeds going to the foundation. Bianca Herzog also announced that the CCF will receive a contribution for every gemstone pendant sold from her Aldusblatt collection before 24 December 2025. "These small gemstone pendants are lucky charms — for the recipients and for children with cancer alike, and as we all know, luck doubles when you share it," Herzog explained.
The message remained present at the tables, too: flyers reminded guests that every donation makes two hearts beat faster — their own, and that of a sick child. A QR code made donating to the CCF child's play. Furthermore, all proceeds from the evening went directly to the foundation. "All the proceeds from the drinks — even the tips," emphasised Fabienne Lemaire.
While the guests enjoyed the street food buffet and chatted at the tables or bar, DJs Manu and Elvis played, and Stuff Like That heated things up with funk and soul. It was clear that the White Charity Party was far more than just a stylish evening. Every gesture, every dance and every laugh carried weight — white joie de vivre and heart merged to form an impressive symbol of lived solidarity.
