Pernille Harder, Glódís Viggósdóttir, Magdalena Eriksson and Anna Klink treated young patients at the Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine – a collaboration between München Klinik and TUM Klinikum in Munich – to a unique afternoon last week. The double winners put smiles on the children's faces and provided many wonderful moments away from everyday hospital life.
To begin with, the players took time to visit children and young people suffering from cancer. Afterwards, all the children in the other wards were invited to join the players in completing a dribbling course and various challenges. The players posed for photos, signed autographs and, together with club mascot Mia, handed out numerous gifts – even to children who were unable to leave their rooms.
Captain Viggósdóttir said: “We had a really lovely afternoon with the children. It was special to spend time with them, play football together and take photos. It's impressive how much joy they get from little things.” Harder was also moved: “It was wonderful to see how much the children enjoyed our visit. It made me very happy that we were able to give them a nice change of pace.”
Sport as motivation during therapy
Dr Sabine Kesting, head of the sports science team at the children's hospital, emphasised: “Visits from professional athletes motivate the children to stay active and keep moving – especially during intensive therapy. It's wonderful to see how they flourish in this environment. We’re very grateful that FC Bayern Women visited us and gave the children such a wonderful afternoon.”
The Centre for Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine offers a special sports programme in the paediatric oncology ward and in the day clinic to motivate children and teenagers to remain physically active even during therapy. Visits like this one provide valuable support and create unforgettable moments.
FC Bayern Women produced a convincing victory at Eintracht Frankfurt over the weekend:
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