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 Rózinka. Unfortunately, her treatment so far has not worked, so she is now placing her hope in experimental treatment abroad.
Back in August 2025, Rozinka was an active sports cheerleader, she loved dancing and was dedicated to fire sports. Today, with your help, she is fighting for a chance at another life.
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
Call for Early-Career Researchers
The Nina Endowment Fund, in collaboration with Gustave Roussy Institute — Europe’s leading comprehensive cancer center — offers a unique opportunity to join cutting-edge international research in pediatric brain tumors.
Read more
Roundtable: Hope for Children with Rare Brain Tumors
Systemic barriers to innovative treatment were the focus of a roundtable at the Chamber of Deputies on September 10, organized jointly by MP Václav Pláteník and the Nina Endowment Fund. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, the State Institute for Drug Control (SÚKL), health insurers, both pediatric oncology centers (Motol and Brno University Hospitals), patient advocacy groups, and affected families.
Read moreMentions in the media
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June 5, 2026 | Searching for a Cure for Aggressive Pediatric Brain Tumors
The proposal for the preparation is currently being addressed by researchers at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague.
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Na dosah | 19. 5. 2026
Medicine has the power to both heal and transform lives. How do we avoid losing our humanity in the process?
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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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Čestmír Strakatý | 30. 11. 2025
THE CHOVANECS: Cancer took Nina's time, but not the good things. Today we help others.
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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
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.
