Jenoptik employees donate 15,000 euros to the Jena Parents’ Initiative for Children with Cancer

The record sum resulted from donations made by Jenoptik employees last year at the summer festival and the Christmas party at the Jena site. Around 1,900 employees and their families attended the traditional summer festival at the end of August, and around 1,000 Jenoptik employees came to the Christmas party at the beginning of December. It has been a nice tradition for years that the contributions for drinks are donated there. But other initiatives by Jenoptik employees and apprentices also donate their proceeds to the Jena Parents’ Initiative for Children with Cancer (EKK). For example, donations are also collected for the EKK at the annual employee blood donation campaign in Jena, which was launched by Jenoptik apprentices.

“Jenoptik’s commitment is incredible, and I am very grateful to the Jenoptik employees, management and especially our patron for their tremendous support over the past 20 years,” said Katrin Mohrholz, managing director of the Jena-based association, which looks after young patients, but above all their families and relatives, during the difficult times of childhood cancer.

The record donation was presented by Prisca Havranek-Kosicek, patron of the parents’ initiative and CFO of JENOPTIK AG, on Thursday, February 13, at the children’s cancer ward of the Jena University Hospital on the occasion of the “Heroes’ Celebration”. Children and parents as well as staff of the ward came together to honor the brave young patients. This always takes place in mid-February, as February 15 is International Children’s Cancer Day.

The donation will be used to alleviate the suffering and worries of the young patients on many more days of the year. The money will pay for the services of “Jack” and “Dari”, two therapy dogs that have been regularly visiting children with cancer since last year. The experiences are overwhelmingly positive, because interacting with dogs provides a welcome distraction from the daily routine of the clinic and creates moments of well-being. “The visits seem to have a positive effect on children and young people, especially during long therapies, and are a great addition to our regular association offers for inpatients, such as ward tours and parties, the clinic clown called Flotti Lotti and music therapy with Detlef,” says Katrin Mohrholz.

An image is available in the Jenoptik image database.

Pictured from left: Hospital Director Prof. Dr. med. Till Milde, Katrin Mohrholz, Dr. Prisca Havranek-Kosicek, Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Gruhn, Sabine Klisch (Director Brand & Communications at Jenoptik).

About Jenoptik

Jenoptik is a global technology group operating in the photonics market. Our key markets primarily include semiconductor & electronics, life science & medical technology as well as smart mobility. Approximately 4,600 people worldwide work for the Jenoptik Group, which is headquartered in Jena (Germany). JENOPTIK AG is listed on the German Stock Exchange in Frankfurt and traded on the MDax and TecDax. In fiscal year 2024, based on preliminary figures, Jenoptik generated revenue of 1.12 billion euros.