JK Mr Sander, when you look at your foundation today – one of the leading funders of medical research specialising in cancer, with over 2,700 projects and around 350 million euros in approved funding – is this how you imagined it would be? 

WS If I were to claim that I’d imagined it exactly like this, you’d think I was being utterly unrealistic – and rightly so. But back then, I wrote in my will: ‘My estate is to be used for medical research, particularly in the fight against cancer.’ The fact that it has grown into such a strong foundation shows me two things: firstly, that sound structures and wise decisions by governing bodies are important; and secondly, that my trust in science was well-founded.

You started out in medical technology, with the sterilisation of surgical suture material, and later went on to carry out major housing development projects. To what extent do you recognise this entrepreneurial spirit in the foundation’s current activities?

For me, entrepreneurship has never been merely the ability to run a business, but rather the willingness to act reliably and with foresight under economic conditions – with a clear focus on quality, functionality and the practical consequences of one’s own actions. When I was manufacturing medical products, it was all about reliability and diligence. In housing construction, the focus was on sound planning and long-term commitment. Today, the foundation supports projects designed to help people live longer and better lives – often despite a cancer diagnosis. The entrepreneurial spirit lies in making considered decisions, managing resources carefully and supporting developments with foresight. In that respect, I recognise myself in the foundation: The Foundation works strategically, with a clear focus on impact and stability, and it does not shy away from investing in ambitious and innovative research. I would have liked that.

You lived through an eventful 20th century: two world wars, economic crises, reconstruction. Today we talk of the climate crisis, a pandemic and geopolitical tensions. Do you see any parallels?

Crises always look different when you’re right in the thick of them. But one thing has remained the same: uncertainty. In my youth, it wasn’t clear whether we’d make it through the next winter. Later, we wondered whether the post-war reconstruction would succeed. Today, people are asking themselves how they are to live with climate change, global conflicts and new diseases.

The difference is that people today have a vast amount of knowledge. They understand more precisely the physical consequences of climate change, the social upheavals triggered by global conflicts, and how new diseases emerge and spread. But knowledge alone is not enough. You need character, courage and staying power – that was true back then and remains true today. Perhaps that is the most important parallel.

Today, our foundation stands for transparency, excellence and independence. Funding decisions are prepared by a scientific advisory board; there are clear procedures and external reviews. Would you say that this is in line with your original vision?

I’m glad you’ve organised it this way – I couldn’t have done it on my own. (smiles)

It was important to me that the assets were managed properly, used for their intended purpose and made an impact where the prospects for real progress are greatest. I would have very much welcomed it if you’d followed the procedures of the major research funding bodies, carried out systematic peer reviews and made independent decisions. And transparency… in my day, that meant keeping the books in order. Today, it also means being publicly accountable, publishing figures and communicating about projects. If that builds trust – and it does – then that is very much in line with my own views. My focus has always been on impact: I even once wrote down by hand that the training of surgical nurses also deserves support – because impact is not just a matter of new findings, but also of the people who apply them.

You have provided housing for tens of thousands of people whilst also leaving a legacy to medical research in your will. Looking back on your life: what led you to this decision to donate everything to a foundation?

It was a mixture of sober realisation and personal conviction. I had no descendants who could have inherited the estate. And I didn’t want my life’s work to simply be dismantled.

I’ve seen illness affect many people, including those close to me. Back then, cancer was often seen as an almost inevitable fate with little hope. I thought to myself: if my money can help to significantly improve medical options and permanently enhance the prospects of those affected, that’s a worthwhile use of it. I wanted to see these two things combined – and that is precisely what the foundation continues to do to this day.

A look at the present: Today, the foundation supports researchers at universities and hospitals in Germany and Switzerland. They work within large networks, often on an international scale. What advice would you like to give these researchers?

First and foremost: my deepest respect. Research is a profession that requires a great deal of patience and rarely brings immediate recognition. I would say to them: never forget the people behind your project numbers. Behind every experiment, every study, every hypothesis, there are patients, their families, people filled with fear – and with hope. And one more thing: hold on to your independence. Don’t let yourselves be driven solely by trendy topics, but by genuine scientific curiosity and the question: what helps patients the most? If the Foundation can support you in this, then my legacy has been well spent.

And what would you say to those who are currently considering making an endowment, a donation or a bequest to the Foundation?

I know it’s not an easy step to take, thinking about what will happen to your assets after you’re gone. But I can say from my own experience: It is a liberating thought to know that what you have built will continue to make a difference. Anyone who entrusts something to the Foundation ensures that others receive better medical care – perhaps even people you will never meet. It is not about being remembered, but about making an impact beyond your own lifetime.

Finally, Mr Sander: if you could make one wish for the foundation for the next 50 years – what would it be?

Stay unconventional in the best sense of the word. Ask critical questions when it comes to projects. Maintain high standards, even when the pressure mounts. Preserve your independence – from changing trends and short-term interests.

And don’t forget to tell people about your work. A foundation is not a storehouse for assets, but a legacy that must be kept alive. As long as you use it wisely, I’ll be delighted.