- Affected person: Heiko Weber (60), former coach and player of FC Carl Zeiss Jena
- Diagnosis: Pancreatic cancer (diagnosed late 2025)
- Goal of the campaign: Funding for a special pain therapy
- Donation goal: 55,000 euros
- Current status: approx. 38,800 euros (as of Monday afternoon)
- Link for donations: GoFundMe campaign
Jena. This is news that makes sports take a back seat and moves the city’s community. Heiko Weber, one of the most well-known personalities in Jena football, is fighting a serious illness. As announced on Tuesday, a group of close companions has launched a public call for donations to support the 60-year-old during this difficult phase.
Diagnosis and the Fight Against Pain
At the end of last year, Heiko Weber received the devastating diagnosis: pancreatic cancer. Since then, the long-time player and coach, whose name is inextricably linked with FC Carl Zeiss Jena, has been undergoing medical treatment. To make his daily life more bearable and provide relief, a special pain therapy is necessary.
However, this treatment is associated with immense costs that cannot be easily managed. For this reason, old friends and companions decided not to stand by idly, but to actively ask for support.
Companions Organize Large Aid Campaign
The initiative was started by Mike Ukena, Andreas Böhnwald, and Christian Gürtler. They have launched a donation campaign on the platform GoFundMe to relieve the financial burden on Weber and his family. The declared goal of the collection is 55,000 euros.
The reaction of the Jena population and football fans shows how deeply Heiko Weber is rooted in the region and how much his fate touches people. By Monday afternoon, February 16, 2026, around 38,800 euros had already been raised. The solidarity is overwhelming and demonstrates the strong cohesion in the Saalestadt when it matters most.
Emotional Support via Padlet
In addition to financial aid, mental support is of enormous importance for a cancer patient. The initiators have therefore also set up a digital pinboard (Padlet). At padlet.com, fans, friends, and acquaintances can send personal recovery wishes, greetings, and encouraging words to Heiko Weber.
Heiko Weber shaped the face of FC Carl Zeiss Jena for many years, whether on the pitch or on the sidelines. Now the fan community is giving back some of the commitment he showed for the club over decades. The organizers continue to ask for support to reach the goal of 55,000 euros promptly and fully secure the therapy.
Sources:
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Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.