Bavaria's 'Wir bewegen Bayern' Event Champions Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention and Health

The 'Wir bewegen Bayern' action day, held on June 13, 2026, at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg (JMU) and across multiple locations in Bavaria, brought together about 1,000 participants to celebrate the benefits of physical activity and its role in disease prevention, particularly cancer. Organized by the Bayerisches Zentrum für Krebsforschung (BZKF) and supported by the University Hospital Würzburg and JMU, the event offered free access to approximately 70 sports activities through 65 local clubs and institutions, covering traditional and novel sports such as football, basketball, yoga, Longboard Dancing, Slackline, Taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, Pilates, and disc golf.

Bavaria's Health and Prevention Minister Judith Gerlach inaugurated the event and stressed the critical role of physical activity in reducing cancer risk and boosting overall health. She underscored that the Bavarian Center for Cancer Research combines top-tier research with patient care, citing the prevention master plan targeting health promotion in daily life. The event also included health check-ups and stem cell typing for participants, as well as expert talks and athlete interactions.

Notable sports figures, including Thomas Lurz and Felix Neureuther, engaged attendees through autograph sessions and discussions promoting active lifestyles. Athlete Tim Bauder shared insights into sport and health, enhancing the event’s outreach. A poignant highlight was the testimony of Ulrike Seitzinger-Bauer, a cancer patient from Erlangen, who recounted how embracing sports during chemotherapy helped her regain strength and joy.

The initiative reflected a strong collaborative effort among the six BZKF sites throughout Bavaria, aiming to extend innovative cancer therapies and prevention strategies to all citizens. The event received positive feedback for effectively making cancer prevention tangible and demonstrating that movement can be both enjoyable and health-promoting across generations.

Overall, 'Wir bewegen Bayern' embodied the core philosophy of enhancing excellence and sharing knowledge to foster a healthier Bavaria through movement and preventive healthcare.