Pediatric Surgery with Heart and Vision
When a child urgently needs surgery, their birthplace often determines their life and future. Many countries lack specialized pediatric surgeons, and thus the chance for life-saving treatment.
In 2016, Prof. Dr. med. Martin Lacher and Dr. med. Birgit Lacher laid the foundation for the Children's Surgery Foundation – with a clear goal: to provide children all over the world with access to safe, life-saving surgical care.
Doctors from Germany travel to medically underserved regions to perform complex procedures on children and newborns – voluntarily, without remuneration, and often at their own expense. This is precisely where the work of the foundation comes in!
"If you perform surgery, you save one life. If you teach surgery, you can save countless lives"
We cover the travel and accommodation costs so that help reaches where it is urgently needed.
And our commitment goes further. The doctors share their knowledge, train local colleagues, and create sustainable structures. This way, step by step, independent pediatric surgical care is established locally.
Our goal is clear: Not just to help today, but to create long-term prospects – so that every child has the chance for a healthy future.
"Without these operations, many children would have no chance of a future."
In many countries, families often cannot afford operations even for malformations – the costs frequently exceed their annual income many times over. The Children's Surgery Foundation therefore sends experts in pediatric surgery, anesthesia, and pediatrics to medically underserved regions. There, they perform life-saving operations, often free of charge for the families, thus giving children a future that would be unattainable without this help.
Together, we make help possible where it is needed.
A Strong Network for Pediatric Surgery
Over the years, our team has grown steadily: new doctors and dedicated supporters repeatedly join the Foundation for Pediatric Surgery. Together, we organize numerous campaigns, initiate diverse collaborations, and combine our strengths to provide children worldwide with access to life-saving surgical care. Get to know some of the people who drive this mission with heart, knowledge, and commitment:
Team Germany
Prof. Dr. Martin Lacher from Leipzig (Founder & CEO)
"As a pediatric surgeon, I have the unique privilege of being able to perform crucial corrective surgeries on children with congenital malformations. The fascination and joy one feels when these operations are successful do not diminish over the years. Helping a child doesn't change the whole world, but it changes the whole world for that one child."
PD Dr. med. Jan-Hendrik Gosemann from Leipzig
"Enough words have been exchanged; let me at last see deeds." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust I
Associate Professor Dr. Peter Zimmermann, MHBA, from Wiesbaden
"I am committed to sustainably improving medical care for children - especially in regions with limited resources - by strengthening local teams, exchanging knowledge, and establishing reliable structures that save lives in the long term."
PD Dr. med. Richard Wagner from Leipzig
"Even before I studied medicine, I was fascinated and inspired by the work of Albert Schweitzer. For me, he is a great role model in medical history and beyond – I am sure he would have liked the work of the Children's Surgery Foundation. I am very happy and grateful to be part of this work."
PD Dr. med. Steffi Mayer
"When a child is seriously ill or malformed, the entire family suffers. I am involved in the Children's Surgery Foundation to provide medical help to children for whom there is otherwise little help."
Dr. Dietmar Crass from Tettnang on Lake Constance
"I was very fortunate to have excellent mentors during my training who taught me a great deal of anesthesiological knowledge. For me, it is an obligation to pass on this knowledge with the same dedication."
Carmen Crass from Tettnang on Lake Constance
"It's a matter of the heart that enriches my life."
Melanie Graf from Friedrichshafen
"During our post-operative visits, it's incredibly rewarding to see the impact we make. I am grateful to be a part of this experience and to be a member of this wonderful foundation team."
International Team
Dr. Viktoria Pfeifle from Bern
Sustainable pediatric surgery is created through partnership – in Hawassa, we are building it together on-site. As a pediatric surgeon, I am very grateful to contribute my part to this enriching partnership.
Mission Support Team
Dr. Juliane Hellfritsch from Leipzig
"I am grateful that through my coordinating work behind the scenes, I can help turn ideas into concrete aid – and enable projects to bring hope and provision where conditions are often particularly challenging."
Felix Pöhland from Limburg an der Lahn
"Right from the first exchange with Prof. Dr. Martin Lacher, it was clear: there's a lot of potential here. It's even more rewarding to support and further develop the Children's Surgery Foundation with my work."
Louis Pöhland from Montabaur
"There's always a lot going on at the Children's Surgery Foundation. Exciting conversations, great moments & unique stories. I'm proud to be a part of it!"
Brigitte Born from Leipzig
"With all my heart, I plan the trips for the Children's Surgery Foundation – so that help arrives exactly where it is needed."
Anja Collazo from Leipzig
As a health scientist, what particularly excites me about the work of the Children's Surgery Foundation is that highly specialized medical knowledge is transferred internationally and applied where it is most urgently needed. Because healthcare is a human right. That's why I am committed to sustainably expanding our efforts together with our partners.