Felix Burda Foundation

The Felix Burda Foundation is a German charitable foundation headquartered in Offenburg, with an office in Munich, whose work centers on preventing and detecting colorectal cancer at an early stage. It was established in 2001 by Christa Maar and Hubert Burda after the death of their son, Felix Burda, from colorectal cancer at the age of 33. The founders believed that earlier recognition of the disease might have changed the outcome and created the foundation to improve public understanding of risk, screening, and treatment. The foundation’s central method has been public-health communication combined with advocacy for accessible screening. Its initiatives have included media campaigns, educational materials, conferences, cooperation with medical professionals, and engagement with health insurers, employers, pharmacies, and public institutions. Its most recognizable recurring initiative is Colon Cancer Month, known in Germany as Darmkrebsmonat, held every March. The campaign uses public relations and prevention messaging to encourage people to learn about colorectal-cancer risk and participate in screening. The organization’s early work contributed to increased visibility for colorectal cancer in Germany. In 2002, March was designated Colon Cancer Month following the foundation’s campaigning. The foundation also supported measures that made screening more accessible, including coverage of colonoscopy for insured people over 55 and a follow-up examination after ten years. It reported that colonoscopy numbers rose by 34 percent within a year of the first Colon Cancer Month, viewing the increase as evidence that coordinated awareness efforts could influence participation. Subsequent initiatives included calls for health-insurance incentives, targeted communication for men, pharmacy-based information, and programs for people with a family history of the disease. The foundation has used highly visible educational formats as well as conventional media. A televised public-service announcement was produced by filmmaker Wim Wenders in 2001, and public figures including Franz Beckenbauer, Maria Furtwängler, Verona Pooth, and Harald Schmidt have served as ambassadors or campaign participants. In 2008, the foundation introduced a large walk-through colon model designed to explain the organ and the development of colorectal disease. The approximately 20-metre-long and 2.80-metre-high installation toured public locations, including Frankfurt Central Station, where visitors could ask medical specialists questions. Its policy and research-related activities have extended beyond awareness campaigns. The foundation participated in Germany’s National Cancer Plan and contributed to discussions that informed the 2013 Cancer Screening and Registration Act. It advocated the adoption of immunological fecal occult blood tests, which became part of the benefits covered by statutory health insurance in 2017. These tests identify small traces of blood in stool and are generally more sensitive than older stool-test methods. The foundation has also supported work on inherited and family-related risk, prevention across multiple diseases, and better organization of colorectal-cancer screening. The Felix Burda Foundation is independent in purpose but administratively managed in trust by the Hubert Burda Foundation. Its statutory objectives cover teaching and research in cancer prevention, detection, and control, with particular emphasis on colorectal cancer. It pursues those objectives through communications, training and educational publications, events, expert cooperation, and engagement with national and international organizations. The foundation also established the Felix Burda Award in 2003 to recognize notable achievements in colorectal-cancer prevention and early detection, including scientific work, projects, and communications campaigns.

The Felix Burda Foundation was founded in Germany in 2001 by Christa Maar and Hubert Burda following the death of their son, Felix Burda, from colorectal cancer at the age of 33. The founders believed that earlier diagnosis might have enabled treatment at a more favorable stage and established the foundation to improve public understanding of colorectal-cancer risk and screening. Its initial ambition was to help reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer substantially within five years. From the outset, the foundation combined public communication with cooperation among physicians, health insurers, policymakers, media organizations, and other institutions. In its first year, filmmaker Wim Wenders produced a televised public-service announcement. The foundation then developed a sustained annual communications program around March, which became known as Darmkrebsmonat, or Colon Cancer Month. In 2002, March was designated as a month for increased public attention to colorectal-cancer prevention and early detection. The foundation's advocacy coincided with changes in access to screening. From 2002, German health insurance arrangements required coverage of colonoscopy for insured people over 55, with a further examination after ten years. The foundation reported a 34 percent increase in colonoscopy numbers during the year following the first Colon Cancer Month. Health-insurance funds were also required to offer incentives intended to make screening more attractive to members. In 2003, the organization established the Felix Burda Award. The award recognized people and initiatives that made significant contributions to colorectal-cancer prevention and early diagnosis, including scientific work, communications, and practical projects. Early recipients named in reference material included Kai Diekmann, Günther Jauch, and Susan Stahnke. The foundation expanded its public profile through ambassadors and targeted campaigns. Franz Beckenbauer, Maria Furtwängler, Verona Pooth, and Harald Schmidt were among the public figures associated with its awareness efforts. Campaign themes included the importance of early detection for men, who were identified as having particular screening needs, and the role of pharmacists in explaining colorectal-cancer risk and available tests to customers. In 2008, the foundation introduced a large walk-through model of the colon. Approximately 20 metres long and 2.80 metres high, it was designed to make the anatomy of the organ and the development of colorectal disease understandable to the general public. The model toured cities and public venues, including Frankfurt Central Station, where medical specialists provided additional information. Around the same period, the foundation intensified cooperation with companies on colorectal-cancer prevention. Its communications work received a Special Prize of the German Prize for Business Communication in 2009. The foundation later broadened its prevention approach. It addressed family history and other risk factors, including links between disease risk and broader preventive-health considerations. In 2011, it worked with the Assmann Foundation for Prevention on a mobile application offering information about ways to prevent several illnesses. At policy level, the foundation participated in Germany's National Cancer Plan and contributed to discussions associated with the 2013 Cancer Screening and Registration Act. One of its notable positions was support for immunological stool tests, which detect minute traces of blood and can provide more precise screening than older stool-test methods. These tests entered the statutory health-insurance benefits catalogue in 2017. More recent work has focused on people with a family history of colorectal cancer and on improving the organization and uptake of screening. The foundation is an independent charitable organization whose administration is held in trust by the Hubert Burda Foundation. Its registered office is in Offenburg and it also maintains an office in Munich. Its stated purposes include teaching and research in cancer prevention, detection, and control, especially in relation to colorectal cancer. It pursues these purposes through public relations, conferences, educational and training materials, expert exchange, and cooperation with national and international organizations. The foundation is governed by an honorary board of trustees of three to five people, while operational management is assigned to a foundation board.

• 2017

  Immunological stool tests covered by health insurance

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Immunological stool tests became part of Germany's statutory health-insurance benefits catalogue following advocacy for improved screening methods.

• 2013

  Contribution to German cancer-screening policy

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation participated in the National Cancer Plan and helped shape discussions related to the Cancer Screening and Registration Act.

• 2011

  Prevention app launched

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation and the Assmann Foundation for Prevention released a mobile application containing information on disease prevention.

• 2009

  Communications award received

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation received the Special Prize of the German Prize for Business Communication.

• 2008

  Traveling colon model introduced

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  A large walk-through model of the colon began touring public venues as an interactive educational exhibit.

• 2003

  Felix Burda Award created

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  The foundation launched an award for outstanding contributions to colorectal-cancer prevention and early detection.

• 2002

  Colon Cancer Month established in March

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  March became Germany's recurring Colon Cancer Month, increasing media attention around prevention and screening.

• 2001

  Foundation established

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Christa Maar and Hubert Burda founded the Felix Burda Foundation after Felix Burda died of colorectal cancer, with a mission centered on prevention and early detection.

• 2001

  First major television awareness initiative

  [1]Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org

  Wim Wenders created a televised public-service announcement for the foundation's colorectal-cancer awareness work.

An independent German public-health foundation specializing in colorectal-cancer prevention, screening awareness, and evidence-informed health-policy advocacy.

• Public-health campaign · 2002

  Darmkrebsmonat (Colon Cancer Month)

  An annual March awareness program focused on colorectal-cancer prevention, early detection, screening participation, and public discussion of risk. The initiative uses media coverage, public information, partner organizations, and educational activities rather than a commercial product model.

• Health communications and prevention award · 2003

  Felix Burda Award

  An award established to recognize individuals and projects that contribute to colorectal-cancer prevention and early detection. Eligible contributions have included scientific work, public campaigns, and practical initiatives that improve awareness or screening.

• Educational exhibition · 2008

  Walk-through colon model

  A large interactive replica of the colon designed to help visitors understand the organ, colorectal disease, and the value of screening. The model is approximately 20 metres long and 2.80 metres high and has toured public spaces with medical specialists available for questions.

• Digital health information · 2011

  Prevention-information mobile application

  A mobile application developed with the Assmann Foundation for Prevention that provided information about measures intended to prevent several illnesses and broadened the foundation's communication beyond colorectal cancer alone.

• 2011Mobile prevention information

  Germany

  In cooperation with the Assmann Foundation for Prevention, the foundation used a mobile app to distribute information on preventing multiple diseases.

  Source
• 2008Walk-through colon public education tour

  Germany

  The foundation used a large walk-through colon model in public places, including Frankfurt Central Station, with specialists available to explain colorectal anatomy and screening.

  Outcome. The model toured several German cities and public venues.

  Source
• 2002Darmkrebsmonat (Colon Cancer Month)

  Germany

  A recurring March campaign that brings together media, health organizations, medical professionals, and public communications around colorectal-cancer screening and prevention.

  Outcome. The foundation reported a 34 percent increase in colonoscopies within a year of the first Colon Cancer Month.

  Source
• 2001Televised colorectal-cancer public-service announcement

  Germany

  The foundation commissioned a television public-service announcement created by Wim Wenders to increase awareness of colorectal-cancer prevention and early diagnosis.

  Source
• 2000Public-figure ambassador and targeted-risk campaigns

  Germany

  The foundation worked with public figures including Franz Beckenbauer, Maria Furtwängler, Verona Pooth, and Harald Schmidt, while developing messages aimed at men and pharmacy customers.

  Source

• 2013

  Advocate for improved national screening policyStrategy

  Background

  The foundation participated in Germany's National Cancer Plan and sought improvements to the design, reach, and technical quality of colorectal-cancer screening.

  Action taken

  It contributed to policy discussions associated with the Cancer Screening and Registration Act and supported adoption of immunological stool tests.

  Aftermath

  Immunological stool tests entered the statutory health-insurance benefits catalogue in 2017.

  Source

• 2011

  Launch a mobile prevention-information applicationProduct launch

  Background

  The foundation and the Assmann Foundation for Prevention sought to make preventive-health information available through a mobile format.

  Action taken

  They launched an application covering preventive measures for several illnesses.

  Source

• 2008

  Expand education through an immersive public exhibitStrategy

  Background

  Conventional media messages did not by themselves provide visitors with a tangible explanation of colorectal anatomy and disease.

  Action taken

  The foundation presented a large walk-through colon model and toured it through public locations with medical experts.

  Aftermath

  The exhibit broadened the foundation's outreach in high-traffic public settings and supported direct interaction between visitors and specialists.

  Source

• 2002

  Make annual March screening awareness a central platformStrategy

  Background

  The foundation sought a recurring public moment that could sustain media attention and motivate people to learn about colorectal-cancer screening.

  Action taken

  It promoted March as Colon Cancer Month and continued annual prevention and early-detection campaigns.

  Aftermath

  The campaign became the foundation's best-known public initiative, and the organization reported increased colonoscopy participation after its first year.

  Source

1. 1Felix Burda Foundationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Felix Burda Foundation official websitefelix-burda-stiftung.de