75 Years of Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball – 25 Years of Pink Ribbon: A Dance for Life

The charity aspect is also a key focus at the grand anniversary ball; since 2017, the net proceeds from the evening have been donated to a selected charitable organisation. At the 74^th Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball, a record donation cheque for 136,240 euros was presented to CliniClowns Austria. To mark the 75^th anniversary on 30 January 2027, the Hofburg will be lit up in pink, making the Pink Ribbon message visible far and wide: breast cancer affects us all.

75^th Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball Goes Pink

“The Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball is far more than just a festive tradition. For 75 years, it has united the Viennese medical profession with a sense of social responsibility. The choice of Pink Ribbon as the charity partner for our anniversary ball is a clear commitment to healthcare that puts people first, from prevention through to aftercare. After all, a cancer diagnosis is not just a medical challenge, but also a socio-political issue. Health policy does not begin in the consultation room; it begins where solidarity is put into practice. With the 75^th Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball, we are bringing this important cause to the forefront of public attention,” says Johannes Steinhart, President of the Vienna Medical Association, emphasising the importance of the charity concept.

Isabella Clara Heissenberger-Mass, Head of the Ball Committee, is also sending a clear message by wearing a pink ribbon: “As a paediatrician, I know how deeply a serious illness affects the whole family. Breast cancer changes not only the lives of those affected, but also those of their children, partners and relatives. Cancer Aid Vienna supports them through this challenging time with great professional expertise and human warmth. I am particularly pleased that, through the 75^th Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball, we can help to strengthen this valuable support. Together, we will wear the pink ribbon at the grand anniversary ball, thereby sending a strong message – on behalf of the Viennese medical profession – of solidarity, health literacy and equal access to healthcare.”

25 years of Pink Ribbon in Austria: Help that makes a difference

For a quarter of a century, the Pink Ribbon has also stood for raising awareness, providing information and offering practical help to people with breast cancer in Austria. Cancer Aid Vienna supports those affected and their families by offering psycho-oncological and social-legal advice, as well as numerous other free support services such as ‘Mum/Dad has cancer’. 

“In order to continue providing this vital, free support service to the same high standard in future, given the steadily rising number of new cancer cases, we require the necessary staff and financial resources. We are therefore all the more grateful to the Vienna Medical Association for this wonderful gesture of solidarity, cooperation and support,” said Paul Sevelda, President of Austrian Cancer Aid, and Ursula Denison, President of Cancer Aid Vienna.

“We are filled with great joy and gratitude at being able to officially mark the start of the ‘25 Years of Pink Ribbon in Austria’ anniversary year together with the Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball,” emphasises Doris Kiefhaber, Managing Director of Austrian Cancer Aid and Project Manager for Pink Ribbon in Austria: “For the approximately 100,000 women and men currently living with a breast cancer diagnosis in Austria, this charity evening is a powerful symbol of unity, of solidarity in action, and of a shared message: you are not alone.”

SAVE THE DATE: Ticket sales start in September

Anticipation is building for the 75th Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball: official ticket sales for the anniversary ball will start in September 2026. “Every ticket, every donation and every pink ribbon worn helps to give those affected a sense of hope, raise awareness of prevention and early detection, and provide long-term support for the vital work of Cancer Aid Vienna,” emphasises Deputy Chair oft he Ball Committee Elisabeth Pelanek-Völk: “Join us on 30 January 2027 as we celebrate 75 years of the Vienna Medical Doctors' Ball, 25 years of the Pink Ribbon, and a combined 100 years of commitment to life.” 

 Photocredit: Wiener Ärzteball/Stefan Seelig
v.l.n.r.: Isabel Galler/Pink Ribbon, Doris Kiefhaber/Cancer Aid Austria/Pink Ribbon, Ursula Denison/President Cancer Aid Vienna, Paul Sevelda/President Cancer Aid Austria, Johannes Steinhart/President of the Vienna Medical Association, Isabella Clara Heissenberger-Mass/Head of the Ball Committee, Elisabeth Pelanek-Völk/Deputy Chair of the Ball Committee