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Grünenthal's children's live run team at the city hall square

Together for children and families: Grünenthal hosts its stage of the Children’s Life Run 2026

Around 170 Grünenthal employees came together in Aachen to help raise awareness for children with life-limiting conditions and their families – showing that every step can make a difference.

For children living with a life-limiting condition and their families, everyday life often remains unseen. The Children’s Life Run aims to change that.

Organised every two years by the German Children’s Hospice Association (Bundesverband Kinderhospiz e.V.), the initiative is Germany's largest inclusion campaign. From April to October, a symbolic Angel's Torch travels around 7,000 kilometres across Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland, connecting people, organisations and communities while raising awareness for children's hospice care.

This year, Grünenthal is proud to support the initiative as one of its main partners.

A local event with a shared purpose

On 13 July, Grünenthal hosted one stage of the Children’s Life Run in Aachen, Germany. Around 170 colleagues joined the event, approximately 150 taking part in the run and 20 volunteering behind the scenes to make the day possible.

Wearing bright green event shirts, the team accompanied the Angel's Torch on its six-kilometre journey from Aachen's historic Market Square to the Grünenthal Campus. The event opened with a short panel discussion featuring representatives of the City of Aachen, Grünenthal and the German Children’s Hospice Association before the city's Mayor, Dr. Michael Ziemons, officially started the run.

But this was never about speed or competition. Instead, colleagues ran side by side, keeping the group together from start to finish. Along the way, the Angel's Torch was passed from one participant to another, symbolising solidarity, shared responsibility and support for children and families facing extraordinary challenges.

Grünenthal employee taking part in the Grünenthal stage of the 2026 Children's Life Relay, showing the back of a T-shirt with the motto: "Together, Making a Difference."
Grünenthal’s stage with the motto: "Together, making a difference."
Dr. Michael Ziemons, Mayor of Aachen, with Dr. Stephan Frings, Head of Foundations Management at Grünenthal.
Aachen’s Mayor, Dr. Michael Ziemons, joins the opening panel discussion.
The 'Angel's Torch' is handed over by representatives of the STUPS Children's Centre Krefeld to Uli Brödl, Head of Research at Grünenthal in Aachen.
The symbolic Angel’s Torch is handed over to Dr. Uli Brödl, Chief Scientific Officer at Grünenthal.
Around 150 Grünenthal runners set off on the Grünenthal stage of the Children's Life Relay from Aachen's Market Square.
Around 150 Grünenthal colleagues set off from Aachen’s Market Square.
Rear view of the group running through Aachen city centre in bright green event shirts under beautiful summer skies.
Together through Aachen – one team, one shared purpose.
The Grünenthal team reaches the finish line at the Grünenthal campus in Aachen-Eilendorf.
Crossing the finish line at the Grünenthal campus.
As the runners cross the finish line at the Grünenthal campus in Aachen-Eilendorf, they are greeted with high-fives by Sebastian Köhler, General Counsel.
A warm welcome at the finish line: Sebastian Köhler, General Counsel at Grünenthal, greets the runners with high-fives.
Photo of the Grünenthal team in front of the Grünenthal campus in Aachen-Eilendorf.
Together, we made our Aachen stage truly special.

A commitment beyond healthcare

Supporting the Children’s Life Run reflects Grünenthal's long-standing commitment to hospice and palliative care.

For decades, the company has supported initiatives that strengthen palliative care, education and research. Partnering with the Children’s Life Run extends this commitment by helping to raise awareness for children with life-limiting conditions and ensuring that their families feel seen and supported.

As Dr. Uli Brödl, Chief Scientific Officer at Grünenthal, said during the event: "The Children's Life Run is so important because it reminds us that seriously ill children and their families need reliable support, attention and solidarity from society. I am proud that, together with so many colleagues, we were able to make a strong statement for this important cause."

Dr. Natalie Schwägerl from the German Children’s Hospice Association added: “The more people come into contact with children’s hospice care, the more naturally they will engage with the topic. Children’s hospice care is not only about sadness. It is, above all, about supporting life.”

Every step matters

The runners were welcomed back to the Grünenthal Campus by colleagues who lined the finish area with applause and encouragement, a fitting end to a day defined by community, compassion and shared purpose.

While the Aachen stage has come to an end, the journey continues. The Angel's Torch will travel across Germany, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland until October, carrying an important message wherever it goes:
Every child deserves to be seen. Every family deserves support. And together, we can make both possible.