Siemens Croatia Humanitarian Action

Representatives of Siemens Croatia donated 12,400 kuna to the association for helping children and families facing malignant diseases, Krijesnica.

Half of the amount was collected by Siemens employees who organized a fundraising campaign during the holidays to cover part of the utility costs of apartments in Zagreb where families of children undergoing treatment in Zagreb reside. Siemens Croatia decided to match every kuna collected, thus doubling the amount raised to 6,200 kuna. The City of Zagreb provided the Krijesnica Association with two three-bedroom apartments in Zagreb. Six families reside in them simultaneously.

“Year after year, we invite employees to bring gifts such as toys and clothing during the Christmas holidays, which we then donate for humanitarian purposes. Each time we try to find those who need help the most, from the Safe House in Bjelovar to the Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence. This year, we collected money to provide more concrete assistance. We decided to co-finance the stay of parents in Zagreb for those children who are being treated here for malignant diseases. Parental love and proximity are important for healing. Along with the numerous additional expenses these parents face, we hope this donation will ease at least that part,” said Human Resources Director Marija Felkel, who presented the donation on behalf of Siemens employees.

On behalf of the Krijesnica Association, the donation was received by the president of the Association, Zoran Cipek, who emphasized that 70 percent of children diagnosed with malignant diseases in Croatia recover. However, he stated that, in addition to medical care, these children and their families need other forms of assistance, such as providing accommodation for children and families outside the treatment location, offering psychological support, organizing rehabilitation activities, etc. The Association also participates in equipping pediatric oncology departments with medical devices, raising public awareness of the issues faced by families dealing with malignant diseases, addressing health insurance issues for families with unregulated status, and more.

The Krijesnica Association was founded in 2000, and its members are parents whose children are being treated in one of the pediatric oncology departments in Croatia, parents whose children have successfully completed treatment, and those who have lost a child due to malignant disease. The Association also gathers a number of professionals in the field who actively participate in its work.