2024-05-10 04:00:42
In order to be able to finance two life-saving procedures, Heinz Hoenig’s environment has launched a call for donations. Celebrities are also generous.
Heinz Hoenig has been in the intensive care unit for a few days. After emergency heart surgery, two further procedures are required. After a bacterial infection, he not only needs a new aorta, but also has to have surgery on his esophagus. There are high costs associated with this, but the actor does not have health insurance.
In order to raise the necessary financial resources, his relatives collect money. The call for donations raises questions; the target has already increased several times. Over 140,000 euros have already been raised – and there are plans to get more. German celebrities are also providing active support.
“We are overwhelmed”
The fundraising campaign is running on the crowdfunding platform “GoFundMe”. The site shows that fans and companions are still sending in amounts of money. Sorting by top donations shows that the highest amounts are several thousand euros. The generous donors mostly want to remain anonymous, but there are also some well-known names on the list.
Actress Ursula Karven, for example, paid 500 euros, “Behind Bars” star Katy Karrenbauer gave 200 euros. The former “Tagesschau” spokesman Jan Hofer also contributed 200 euros. But there are also smaller contributions: singer Gil Ofarim, for example, is listed for five euros.
The Go Fund Me instructions state that donations may not be made in someone else’s name. When it comes to payment information, you must enter your name exactly as it appears on your bank card. However, when completing the donation payment, the donor has the option to donate anonymously.
A total of over 5,000 donations have already been received. According to the current status, 145,175 euros have been collected (as of May 9th, 2 p.m.). The goal of 150,000 euros has almost been reached. The appeal for donations was started by Ralph Siegel’s company Siegelring on behalf of Heinz Hoenig’s family. Discussions are currently underway about what will happen to the campaign once the 150,000 euros are reached.
“Ms. Hoenig and we are overwhelmed by the amount received and would like to thank all donors from the bottom of our hearts. However, since the costs for the upcoming procedures will be much higher, we are currently considering increasing the donation target again,” says Siegel’s business partner Birgit Fischer- Höper on “Bild”.
The fact that the amount collected for Heinz Hoenig has already increased several times is also causing criticism. However, for Burkhard Wilke, managing director of the German Central Institute for Social Issues, this approach is not unusual: “We experience this again and again,” he tells t-online. In his opinion, it is important to openly communicate the reasons for any adjustments.
The fundraising campaign fulfills this wish: “We ask for your understanding that we cannot give precise information about the exact costs, as even the medical team is still in the process of discussing how Heinz can be treated in the best possible way and, unfortunately, it is not possible to predict whether “The recovery process can take place as planned,” reads a current update. It is also emphasized that Heinz Hoenig’s relatives are grateful “for every single donation”. This is the only way to provide the 72-year-old with “the best possible care.”