News Young patient raises money for Patient Assistance Fund with home-made cake
Talk about a delicious donation! 15-year-old schoolboy Valerio had multiple operations on his spine at Schulthess Klinik this spring. He was determined to give something back while he recovered and ended up raising over CHF 2,500 for the Wilhelm Schulthess Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund by selling cakes.
Prof. Dr. med. Jeszenszky performed three operations on Valerio’s spine in spring 2024. These complex procedures required an awful lot of patience and a three-and-a-half-week stay at Schulthess Klinik. But Valerio didn’t waste any time feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he decided to take action and give something back.
A week-long bake sale
Having missed out on his school camp while he was having surgery, Valerio set about organising something else for his school. He sold his own home-baked cakes for a whole week. So was it a success? You could say so! Valerio managed to raise an impressive sum of CHF 2,520, which he donated to the Wilhelm Schulthess Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund. “I saw firsthand just how important this fund is, so I wanted to give back somehow,” explains Valerio. “I’m so grateful that I received such high-quality medical care and I soon realised that this wasn’t something to be taken for granted,” says Valerio. His family, friends and classmates were inspired to help him with his fundraising activities.
A positive hospital experience
Looking back on his time at Schulthess Klinik, Valerio remembers being treated by professionals who always had a human touch and a smile. He will never forget all the special little acts of kindness by the staff. Those kind gestures include the picture the service team drew for him after one of his operations and the consistent care shown by Prof. Dr. med. Jeszenszky, who even continued to check on him over Easter weekend. Valerio is very grateful to everyone who helped him on his way to recovery. “I have so many positive memories from my time at the hospital. I felt comfortable and well looked after. If I ever had to have another operation, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to Schulthess Klinik,” he says.
Donations to the Patient Assistance Fund
The Wilhelm Schulthess Foundation’s Patient Assistance Fund gives patients access to highly specialised medical treatments so they have a chance to get their life back regardless of their financial situation. Children from crisis areas who need help urgently are prioritised.
We partner with Friedensdorf International to help these children. It is our contribution to ensuring that even the poorest people can benefit from highly specialised, high-end medicine. You can help patients in Switzerland and from abroad who require complex operations or treatments by making a donation to our Patient Assistance Fund. 100% of the money you donate goes into the Patient Assistance Fund.
