With a donation of 10,000 euros, ORLEN Deutschland GmbH is once again supporting the children’s cancer ward at the University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) in Kiel. The donation amount is based on a special player sponsorship with THW Kiel goalkeeper Andreas Wolff: for every penalty he saved during the 2025/2026 season, ORLEN Deutschland donated 300 euros. The total amount raised was rounded up by the company to 10,000 euros.
For many years, the aim of this initiative has been to provide additional support for children and young people diagnosed with cancer beyond their medical treatment. The donations benefit projects and services that improve the quality of life of young patients and support them on their journey back to everyday life.
Dennis Kulbach, COO of ORLEN Deutschland GmbH, presented a symbolic donation cheque to Prof. Dr. Gunnar Cario, Director of the Department of Paediatric Oncology and Rheumatology at UKSH in Kiel. The handover was accompanied by THW goalkeeper Andreas Wolff, whose 24 saved penalties made the donation amount possible.
“For many years, our player sponsorship has shown that sporting success can have an impact far beyond the playing field. Together with THW Kiel, we support children and young people as well as their families during a particularly challenging time. The fact that this initiative has now enabled us to raise around 150,000 euros for paediatric oncology fills us with great gratitude and motivation for the future,” says Dennis Kulbach, Chief Operating Officer of ORLEN Deutschland GmbH.
The player sponsorship has existed for more than ten years and has now generated around 150,000 euros in donations. Following the retirement of THW veteran Patrick Wiencek, who for many years was the face and sponsored player of the initiative and now acts as its patron, the focus most recently shifted to goalkeeper Andreas Wolff’s penalty saves. In the new Bundesliga season, THW newcomer Julian Köster will once again see an outfield player take over the successful player sponsorship: ORLEN Deutschland will donate 100 euros to paediatric oncology for every Bundesliga goal scored by Köster.
"It is almost unbelievable how much money has been raised over the past years through the joint initiative of ORLEN and THW Kiel for pediatric oncology at UKSH. After my first visit to the ward, however, the result of combining sporting excellence with social commitment is no longer ‘just’ this impressive amount of money. It has now become tangible for me to see the good that is being done with these donations and how the sports program made possible by this support helps the children. Being able to continue this outstanding fundraising initiative for the benefit of these children is therefore a great honor for me," says Julian Köster.
Thanks to the long-standing support, the Patrick Wiencek Room was established, among other things, to provide sports therapy for patients. It offers children and young people undergoing treatment a safe and supportive space for physical activity, motivation, and enjoyment of life.
“We are delighted that ORLEN and THW Kiel are continuing this sponsorship even after the end of Patrick’s active playing career. This sustainable commitment enables us to plan for the longer term and thus further expand the sport and exercise project that is so important for the recovery of our young patients,” says Prof. Dr. Gunnar Cario, Director of the Department of Paediatric Oncology and Rheumatology at UKSH.
Anniversary: ORLEN marks ten years as THW’s main sponsor
ORLEN Deutschland and THW Kiel have been partners more than 15 years. Since 2016, the company has been the main and jersey sponsor of Germany’s record handball champions. At the beginning of 2025, the collaboration was extended by a further five years until 2030. During the anniversary year, both parties are planning various activities for fans during home matches as well as on their websites and social media channels.
About ORLEN Deutschland GmbHORLEN Deutschland GmbH was founded in March 2003. It is a 100 per cent subsidiary of the Polish multi-energy group ORLEN S.A. and part of the international ORLEN Group. The company currently operates over 600 ORLEN and star filling stations on the German market. ORLEN Deutschland GmbH, based in Elmshorn, is one of the ten largest filling station operators in Germany and is involved in a wide range of sports and cultural sponsorship activities (e.g. handball, winter sports, music festivals).
In keeping with the claim “Moving forward together”, ORLEN and star filling stations offer high-quality fuels as well as their own shop products at an attractive price-performance ratio. ORLEN Deutschland is increasingly focussing on the expansion of electromobility offerings, alternative, sustainable fuels and the environmentally friendly use of resources. Customers receive additional services such as car washing, ATM and package services at many stations. Filling stations with 'star café' and 'stop.café’ invite customers to take a break in a feel-good atmosphere and offer coffee specialties throughout the day, a wide selection of food, as well as hot and cold snacks.
ORLEN S.A. further expanded its market position in the DACH region at the beginning of 2024 with the acquisition of Turmöl fuel stations. With over 260 stations, ORLEN has a market share of around 10% in Austria, making it one of the three largest owners of fuel station networks in the country.
Media Contact:
ORLEN Deutschland GmbH
Cynthia Graffitti
Media spokes person
Tel.: +491705000343
cynthia.graffitti@orlen-deutschland.de
Klaus-Peter Dittrich
Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: +49412147501768
klaus-peter.dittrich@orlen-deutschland.de