Photo: Torch relay by the Mira Running Group Berlin, ©Bundesverband Kinderhospiz eV – Konstantin Börner
Children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses and their families are rarely the focus of public attention. That is exactly what the Kinder-Lebens-Lauf aims to change. With a symbolic torch, the initiative sends a message of solidarity and draws attention to children’s hospice care and the needs of affected families.
The Kinder-Lebens-Lauf is organized every two years by the German Federal Association of Children’s Hospices (Bundesverband Kinderhospiz e. V.). On its journey of approximately 7,000 kilometers, the so-called “Angel’s Torch” is carried from station to station. The route runs through Germany and, in 2026, will make its first stops in Austria, Luxembourg, and Switzerland.
In Switzerland, the Kinder-Lebens-Lauf is bringing together the three organizations—allani Children’s Hospice Bern, Pro Pallium, and the Flamingo Children’s Hospice—for the first time. On August 21, the torch was brought to the allani Children’s Hospice Bern. From there, it traveled on to Pro Pallium and arrived at the Flamingo Children’s Hospice in Fällanden on August 25.
Representatives from the Pro Pallium Foundation arrived together with their sponsor, the Porsche Center Winterthur. The initiative was accompanied by delegates from the Federal Association of Children’s Hospices. A special moment was the ceremonial presentation by Veronika Hutter, executive director of Pro Pallium, to two children from the neighboring Lätten Elementary School. About twenty students formed a guard of honor, creating a dignified and warm atmosphere.
Ambassador Rainer Züst then took over the Engels Torch. He brought it to the Chur Cantonal Hospital for a day, thereby sending a visible message—even beyond cantonal borders—to the more than 10,000 children and adolescents in Switzerland and Liechtenstein living with life-limiting illnesses. In Chur, Dr. Erika Süess, head of Pediatric Palliative Care, and Chief Physician Dr. Bjarte Rogdo welcomed the delegation. On August 27, “the Angel” continued its journey. Accompanied by his therapy dog Liv, Rainer Züst took the torch to its next stop in Schaffhausen. There, the torch was handed over to a group of motorcyclists, who continued its journey through Germany.
The Kinder-Lebens-Lauf is much more than just a long journey through Europe. It brings together people, organizations, and families who are committed to helping children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses. The Angel’s Torch serves as a reminder that children’s hospice care does not end at state or cantonal borders, but thrives on solidarity, compassion, and mutual support.
We are very pleased to be part of this special initiative and to welcome the torch to the Flamingo Children’s Hospice. Together, we are raising awareness of children’s hospice care and sending a message of support to the children affected, their siblings, and their families.
