Research
We support medical and research teams that are striving for a significant breakthrough in the treatment of cancer.
Our goals
Families
We help families of patients to cope with the financial and personal impacts of the disease.
Support families
Education
We organize public events and work with the media to raise awareness about DIPG/DMG.
Raising awarenessWe are currently helping Monika, Anežka, Dušan and Johanka. Unfortunately, their treatment so far is not working, so they are now placing their hope in experimental treatment abroad.
Until May 2024, she was a healthy and cheerful little girl. But when the devastating news came, she and her familyhad to face the difficult diagnosis.
After successfully completing her studies in architecture, Monika enjoyed traveling, sports, time with family and loved ones, and her promising career like any young person. But within a few months, her life was turned upside down.
Anežka loves glitter, Princess Elsa, jumping in puddles, and mango ice cream, which she always shares with her little brother. She loves to dance, read fairy tales, and doesn't forget to pick a flower for her mom when they walk through a meadow. But suddenly everything changed.
He is a loving father and an active athlete whose life was unexpectedly affected at the age of fifty-two by a diagnosis of diffuse midline glioma — a condition that most often occurs in children.
About the Disease
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is the most aggressive and least treatable form of childhood cancer. Despite the dedication of researchers worldwide, there is still no effective treatment. Most children diagnosed with DIPG live for less than a year.
We are working to help change that.
”We wish that one day, no family will ever have to hear the words from doctors: ‘Go home and spend your remaining time together.’”
Assoc. Prof. Martin Chovanec, MD, PhD, MHA, co-founder of the Endowment Fund Nina
Konference psychoneuroonkologie
The International Conference of Psychoneurooncology FNKV 2026 will take place on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Royal Vinohrady University Hospital (FNKV). The event is held under the auspices of the hospital, the Nina Foundation, the Association of Clinical Psychologists of the Czech Republic, the Czech Association of Nurses, the Czech Pain Society (CLS JEP), the Czech Oncology Society (CLS JEP), and the Czech Neurological Society (CLS JEP).
Read more
New Charity Collection
Our second t-shirt collection — this time featuring a design by Dana Lédl (Myokard) — was created in collaboration with NeverEnough and is now available for purchase.
Read moreMentions in the media
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Proženy.cz | 17. 12. 2025
The Chovanecs believe that walking away from a battle simply because we are used to losing will never bring change.
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Věda 24 | 12. 10. 2025
The first approved systemic treatment for DMG-type brain tumors.
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Rádio Praha | 14. 10. 2025
Supporting other sick children after their daughter's death. Starting an endowment fund helped us, says Martin Chovanec.
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Respekt │ 26. 6. 2025
If Armstrong could fly to the Moon because of his daughter's death, why not achieve something here on Earth?
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Vitalia │ 23. 6. 2025
We will find the brain tumor's weakness and force it to stop growing, scientists believe
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zena-in.cz 15. 6. 2025
Adoption of ponies from the Letná carousel raised over a million. It will also contribute to promising research by a team from UCT.
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STVR │ 11. 6. 2025
A malignant brain tumor took their daughter Nina (†6), so they founded a fund to support families with children affected by the same diagnosis
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ČT 24 │ 8. 6. 2025
Carousel for Nina raised over a million for the fight against brain tumors
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Události ČT │ 8. 6. 2025
Charity event Carousel for Nina
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iDnes │ 4. června 2025
Policeman has a childhood brain tumor. He found help from the parents of little Nina, who died
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maminka.cz │ 31. 5. 2025
Mr. and Mrs. Chovanec lost their daughter, but they tirelessly help other families of children with the most severe form of brain cancer.
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Blesk │ 20. 5. 2025
Carousel for the late Nina (†7) will spin again: A memory of the brave little girl and adoption of a pony
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Reportéři ČT 19. 5. 2025
Giving a Chance - Their daughter succumbed to an aggressive disease, now they are funding unique research to help families affected by the same diagnosis
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Podcast Smysluplně │ 7. 1. 2025
In the heart forever with Kristýna Chovancová
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iDnes.cz │ 13. 12. 2024
Max wants to live. But only expensive treatment in Paris can stop the aggressive tumor
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Česká televize │ 9. 6. 2024
A brain tumor took their daughter Nina. Now they are helping other sick children in her name
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Blesk │ 8. 6. 2024
We believed she would change the world: Nina (†7) fought in vain against a brain tumor for four months! Her parents are fighting on
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Česká televize │ 7. 6. 2024
We believed she would change the world: Nina (†7) fought in vain against a brain tumor for four months! Her parents are fighting on
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Jako lékař vidím mnoho utrpení
"As a doctor, I see a lot of suffering. But Nina's pain is immense." Father describes daughter's treatment for aggressive brain tumor
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Maminka.cz | 29. 1. 2024
Nina (6) has a brain tumor. Within three weeks, she went from a healthy child to an immobile child, but she is a fighter who doesn't give up
How It All Began
Kristýna (*1983) and Martin (*1978) Chovanec were, until recently, parents of two children. Both devoted their careers to helping others – Kristýna as a social worker and lecturer, Martin as a doctor, teacher, and scientist.
The joint decision to establish an endowment fund to support the treatment and care of pediatric cancer patients came in response to their younger daughter's diagnosis.
Their aim is not only to find a way through their own loss, after their daughter Nina’s passing, but also to turn their own adversity into love, faith, humility, and hope for other parents and children who find themselves in the same situation.
