On March 21, 2006, the Eva Luise and Horst Köhler Foundation received official recognition. Since then, we have worked to raise awareness for people with rare diseases, advance research, and initiate tangible improvements for those affected.
A highlight of this anniversary year was a recent visit to Bellevue Palace—a place closely tied to the foundation’s origins and development. In a personal conversation with Elke Büdenbender and the head of the Office of the Federal President, State Secretary Dr. Dörte Dinger, we experienced great appreciation for our work and mission. We were particularly moved by the genuine interest in the everyday realities faced by people with rare diseases and the challenges that patients and their families encounter.
We are grateful for this meeting and draw valuable inspiration for our ongoing efforts. Especially in times when solidarity and cohesion are under pressure, it is crucial to pay extra attention to those who are too often overlooked.
For two decades, the Foundation has served in many ways: We specifically support research into rare diseases, including with the Eva Luise Köhler Research Award, which has recognized outstanding projects since 2008. At the Rare Disease Symposium, we bring together specialists from science, medicine, and care every year, creating a forum for exchange that reaches far beyond national borders and has become a fixture in the ‘rare disease community.’ We maintain ongoing dialogue with politicians and society, connect key players, and drive structural improvements. With initiatives like our research network Alliance4Rare, we specifically promote research collaborations, while in our Think Tank we develop new approaches and advance future-focused themes.
All of this is only possible thanks to the diverse support we receive. We are deeply grateful to all donors, sponsors, and partners for their important moral and financial contributions. Special thanks go to the Foundation’s board, members of the Board of Trustees, and all staff, whose dedication and personal commitment form the backbone of our work.
Our goal remains clear: to raise awareness for rare diseases, strengthen those affected, and drive change. We remain fully committed to this mission.
