Brain tumors account for the majority of cancer-related deaths in children. Among the deadliest brain tumors is the diffuse midline glioma (DMG) with its subgroup of diffuse intrinsic ponsglioma (DIPG). Annually, a small number of 2,000 children are diagnosed with this type of brain tumor in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, these tumors cannot be surgically removed as they grow in a very diffuse and not clearly demarcated manner. Also, to date, there is no standardized chemotherapy for the treatment of these rare brain tumors. As a result, the average survival time of diagnosed children is currently only 9-11 months and within a period of 3 years 99% of these children die. Since there are relatively few children who suffer from these types of brain tumors, the pharmaceutical industry has very limited interest in developing new drugs for this disease.

The best hope currently lies in the research and testing of new therapies developed by hospitals themselves. However, there are very few hospitals that are able to treat these patients at all, and correspondingly few hospitals that are committed to the development of new therapies for this brain tumors. The University Children's Hospital Zurich will make a significant contribution to the fight against these type of rare brain tumors. Along the improvement of life expectancy and quality of life funding will ensure that diagnosed children as well as their families and loved ones receive the best possible treatment and care.

The image shows the "Euromate", the instrument with which biopsies of brain tumors are performed.

The new University Children's Hospital Zurich will open in 2023 as one of Europe's leading centers of pediatric medicine. The new building in Zurich-Lengg is both an urgent necessity and a unique opportunity. It represents not just the continued existence of a world-renowned private-law institution, but also the wellbeing of the most vulnerable group in our society.

In stressful situations, patients, relatives and also the employees of the children‘s hospital need support. The «My Sky» project wants to make a noticeable contribution to this: in cooperation with the world-famous lighting artist James Turrell, a «Sky Space» was designed that is specially tailored to the needs of the children‘s hospital. It is a walkable space in form of an elliptical cylinder. There are heated seats along the inner walls. The floor area is large enough for a hospital bed. In the roof area is an invisible light installation that allows the artist to create special «light programs» with the computer. The dome roof leads directly into the sky via an elliptical shaped window.

Light, space and color create extraordinary sensory experiences. «My Sky» can calm down, cheer up, delight, listen, relax, relieve, give hope, generate confidence, bridge, amuse, reconcile, comfort … A unique enrichment for patients, their families and for employees.

As Switzerland's largest university children's hospital, and one of the leading clinical and academic centers of pediatric medicine in Europe, the hospital trains medical experts and leaders who will shape the future of pediatrics both nationally and internationally.

Children and young people are at a significant disadvantage in the development of new medications and therapies. They account for a comparatively small demographic group, and with their major age-related developmental differences they represent a much more heterogeneous patient population than adults. The more stringent ethical and legal requirements for research involving minors are a further factor here. As a result, to the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors children and young people are a much less attractive market not just financially, but because barriers to entry are higher and more numerous. As a consequence, medical progress too often bypasses the most vulnerable section of society that would benefit from it most.

Improving the quality of life and chances of recovery of sick children therefore demands more scientific research that focuses on the child, not the bottom line. Tarbaca Indigo Foundation supports the hospital's efforts to remedy the severe shortage of junior researchers in pediatrics, and thereby maintain an outstanding quality of care and research both now and in the future.