Charity 3D Printing for Kids at Augsburg Pediatric Oncology – Pieksekisten

JamesDaRock · March 7, 2026, 3:59pm

Pieksekisten Charity Project

Hello everyone,

my name is Pascal and I would like to share the story behind a small charity project that means a lot to my family and me.

Every couple of weeks we visit the pediatric oncology center in Augsburg, Germany and bring boxes filled with small toys and gifts for the children currently undergoing treatment.

Why this project exists

Our connection to the oncology center is deeply personal.

My son was treated there when he was very young. He was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, a malignant brain tumor. Despite the incredible efforts of the doctors and nurses, he sadly passed away at the age of five years old.

During that time, we saw how incredibly strong these children are — and how much even small moments of joy can mean.

After our son passed away, we decided to continue supporting children who are currently going through the same fight.

That is how we became involved in the Pieksekisten project.

What Pieksekisten are

“Pieksekisten” roughly translates to “little poke boxes.”

Children in treatment have to endure many injections, blood draws and procedures.
These boxes allow them to choose a small toy after a difficult moment.

Inside the boxes:

small toys
figures
little gadgets
comforting items

It is a small reward for a very big act of bravery.

How 3D printing helps

Using our printers we create small figures and toys for these boxes.

These prints are:

completely free for the children
never sold
part of a non-commercial charity effort

Every few weeks we bring filled boxes to the oncology center.

External Printing Support

We have now completed the initial framework for external printing support.

The goal is to allow community members to contribute printed models while maintaining clear standards for quality, safety, hygiene and inventory management.

External printing support follows a structured approval process.

This helps us:

avoid unnecessary overproduction
coordinate model selection
maintain quality standards
ensure that all submitted items are suitable for use within the project

All externally printed models are sent to the project team first.

Before becoming part of the project inventory, every item undergoes:

inspection and quality control
safety review
cleaning
and, where appropriate, disinfection

Only after completing this process can a model be considered for inclusion in future Pieksekisten deliveries.

A dedicated topic containing the complete guidelines, requirements and application process for external printing support can be found here:

Please refer to that topic for all questions, applications and future printing campaigns.

How you can support this project

There are several ways to be part of this.

Submit models to the contest

You can participate by submitting your models directly to the contest:

Every submission has the chance to become something real and be printed for the children.

Models that prove reliable and suitable may also become part of the actual Pieksekisten deliveries..

Allow your models to be used

If you already have models, you can allow them to be used for this project.

These models will:

stay under your ownership
be printed for the children
be used non-commercially

Contribute models directly to the project (Upload & Boost)

If you want to go one step further:

You can directly contribute a model to the project.

This means:

you give permission for the model to be uploaded under the project
it can be boosted and pushed inside MakerWorld
it will be used directly for real-world printing

You will always be credited as the original designer.

Your work becomes part of something physical that reaches the children.

Donate points

You can also support by donating MakerWorld points:

These points are used for:

filament
prints
production of toys

Every point becomes something real.

How models are selected

Not every model is used automatically.

Selection is based on:

real-world usability
print reliability
child-friendly design
practical use in the hospital

Function is more important than pure visual appearance.

Transparency and permissions

Respecting designers is extremely important.

all models are used only with permission
designers remain the original creators
no commercial use
everything is documented and traceable

Credits for designers

Because of hygiene rules, physical labels are difficult.

Credits are given online:

Website:

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thore_medulloblastom_kaempfer

Designers will be mentioned whenever possible.

Project updates

We regularly deliver new boxes to the oncology center.

Below are some impressions from recent deliveries.

Thank you

If you are a designer and would like to support this project, I would be incredibly grateful.

Your work can bring a moment of joy to children during very difficult times.

Even a small toy can make a big difference.

Thank you for reading and for being part of this community.

Pascal

Contributors & Permissions

Click here to view all approved designers

@ImU.

https://makerworld.com/@MikeJ1998

https://makerworld.com/@Sebsland3D
https://makerworld.com/@Smoggy3D
https://makerworld.com/@Square2_3D
https://makerworld.com/@user_296178767
https://makerworld.com/@user_4273393062
https://makerworld.com/@wayneclarke8
https://makerworld.com/@Wobbegong
https://makerworld.com/@wuboo
https://makerworld.com/@zammer3d

All models are used with permission and remain the property of their original creators.

MalcTheOracle · March 7, 2026, 4:03pm

A worthy endeavour.

ExpectDeer · March 7, 2026, 5:40pm

First, I’m sorry for your loss. That is an unimaginable painful thing to lose a child. Second, it’s heartwarming to see you giving back in such a thoughtful and caring way.

While I don’t have flexis or fidgets, I do have a number of kit cards that children enjoy very much. Given that it’s a hospital situation it might not be realistic for them to be of use. But also, the fun of building something can also bring a bit of joy and distraction.

All of my designs are released under my own personal use license which allows for situations exactly such as yours. I believe in giving back to our communities and want to enable people to do so without worrying about being on the “right” side of licensing

So if you find something in my catalogue that would suit your need, please do so with my blessing and with the knowledge my license allows it. It’s linked to on every page so you can read it for yourself if you’d like to be sure. Oh, and no attribution is required. My own part is small compared to your own worthy endeavor

JamesDaRock · March 7, 2026, 5:54pm

Thank you very much for your kind words, I really appreciate them.

And thank you as well for being so open with your license. It means a lot when designers intentionally make it easier for community projects like this to exist without worrying about licensing issues.

The goal of this project is simply to bring small moments of joy to children in a pediatric oncology ward. Small figures, toys or little things they can keep with them during treatment.

You mentioned the kit cards – and actually that might be more useful than you think. My wife works closely with the project and she told me that small build projects can be very helpful in hospitals. There are often long waiting periods between treatments, tests or appointments, and having something to assemble or focus on can really help distract from the stress of what is coming next.

So I will definitely take a look through your catalogue and see if there are designs that could work well for this. Things the kids could either build themselves or build together with their parents.

Even though you say attribution is not required, I still like to give credit whenever possible, because without designers like you these projects simply wouldn’t exist.

Thank you again for your generosity and for supporting something like this. It really means a lot.

Pascal

ImU · March 7, 2026, 7:53pm

Hallo Pascal,

Das was du da machst ist eine wahrhaftig gute Sache!
Dein Engagement zeugt vor absoluter Nächstenliebe und sozialen Kompetenzen die nur sehr schwer und von ganz wenigen Menschen richtig nachvollziehbar werden können!

Ausser diesem einen Spiel habe ich leider nichts passendes für dich dass in Frage kommen könnte…

Ich wünsche Dir und deinem Vorhaben alles Gute und nur das Beste!

Gruß

Square3D · March 7, 2026, 8:44pm

First of all, i applaud your initiative coming from someone that has also lost not one but 3 family members to cancer (one of them with 4 years old).

Unfortunately i don’t have “toys” to print but i don’t mind if you use any of my products as a way to donate to the association.
It’s not much, but it is something and it makes my heart warm knowing that something i created is being used for good.

Keep doing what you do and thank you! “Wir schaffen das”

Auf Deutsch:
Zuerst einmal möchte ich deine Initiative loben. Ich sage das als jemand, der ebenfalls nicht nur eines, sondern drei Familienmitglieder an den Krebs verloren hat (eines davon im Alter von nur 4 Jahren).

Leider habe ich keine „Spielzeuge“ zum Ausdrucken, aber es macht mir nichts aus, wenn du meine Produkte nutzt, um sie als Spende an den Verein weiterzugeben. Es ist nicht viel, aber es ist ein Anfang, und es wärmt mir das Herz zu wissen, dass etwas, das ich geschaffen habe, für einen guten Zweck verwendet wird.

Mach weiter so und danke dir! ‚Wir schaffen das!

Liebe Grüße aus BW

JamesDaRock · March 8, 2026, 12:03am

Thank you so much for your kind words and for allowing me to use your designs for this project.
I’m very sorry for your loss. Your support really means a lot.

All models will be credited properly, and it’s amazing to know that something created by the community can help bring a little joy to the children.

Thank you again for your trust and support

Auf deutsch:

Vielen Dank für Ihre lieben Worte und dass Sie mir erlaubt haben, Ihre Designs für dieses Projekt zu verwenden.
Es tut mir sehr leid für Ihren Verlust. Ihre Unterstützung bedeutet mir wirklich viel.

Alle Modelle werden selbstverständlich entsprechend gekennzeichnet, und es ist wunderbar zu wissen, dass etwas, das von der Community geschaffen wurde, den Kindern ein wenig Freude bereiten kann.

Nochmals vielen Dank für Ihr Vertrauen und Ihre Unterstützung

Zammer3D · March 8, 2026, 2:38pm

You’re welcome to use any of my designs for the charity, no attribution required

JamesDaRock · March 8, 2026, 3:50pm

Thank you very much for your support and for allowing me to use your designs for this cause.

This project is meant to bring a little joy to the children in the pediatric oncology ward in Augsburg, and it’s really encouraging to see the community supporting it.

Even though you mentioned that attribution is not required, I will of course still credit your designs properly.

Thank you again for your kindness and support!

Dr_Operator · March 8, 2026, 5:51pm

"Would you allow me to print your models for this charity project and give them to the children?

The models would only ever be used:

• as toys for children in the oncology center
• completely free of charge
• never for commercial purposes"

I’m not sure if my stuff is what you’re looking for, but as long as those rules are followed, you may use any of my models from Makerworld or Printables for your charity work.

I would also like to offer an idea for using 3D printing to raise money for charity.

A couple years ago, a fella I work with was showing me a picture of ‘Ghosty’ that his son drew for Halloween. Although, I’m not a sculptor, I took that picture and modeled him a physical toy using Shapr3D. I imagine an actual sculptor could do a way better job or maybe an image-to-3D generator of some kind.

In a lot of children’s hospitals, you can find their drawings on display to help provide emotional lift for families and staff. What if you were to turn any characters in those drawings into physical toys and sell them with the money going to charity or directly to the family of the child that drew the picture.

Alternatively, you could just model their drawings into actual toys just for them.

JamesDaRock · March 8, 2026, 7:42pm

Thank you very much for your kind reply and for allowing me to use your models for this project

The prints will only be used exactly as described — as small toys for the children in the pediatric oncology ward in Augsburg and always completely free of charge.

I also really like your idea about turning children’s drawings into 3D models. It’s a beautiful concept. Before doing something like that, I would need to check the legal side as well, since the drawings are also the intellectual property of the children. But I will definitely look into it and clarify whether this could be an option in the future.

Thank you again for supporting this initiative!

TeamPuddlePuppy · March 8, 2026, 11:19pm

I’m sorry for your loss. feel free to use any of my models on makerworld anytime if they would benefit. my makerworld is under the same name as on this forum.

JamesDaRock · March 9, 2026, 4:45am

Thank you very much, I really appreciate your support
It means a lot to see members of the maker community helping with this initiative.

TeamPuddlePuppy · March 9, 2026, 11:42am

no problem! It is such an amazing idea! It deserves it. If there is something specific you want to see made, let me know, and I will do my best!

JamesDaRock · March 9, 2026, 5:15pm

Selbst das Spiel ist super, kleine Sachen machen so oft so viel Freude und da drum geht es ja.

user_2179354194 · March 10, 2026, 3:24pm

James - I was actually born in Augsburg Germany in 1960 adopted from an orphange their in 1964 when I was 4 years old. I rarely see Augsburg mentioned so what a surprise to see your post. What a wonderful thing you are doing there in memory of your son. What brought you to Augsburg?

JamesDaRock · March 10, 2026, 4:15pm

Thank you for sharing that — what a coincidence to see someone here who was actually born in Augsburg.

I live not too far from Augsburg, and during the three years of treatment for our son’s brain tumor we spent a lot of time at the pediatric cancer center there. Sadly, he also passed away there.

Since then we have continued the “Pieksekisten” project in his memory, trying to bring small moments of joy to the children who are currently going through treatment.

It’s really touching to hear from someone who has a connection to Augsburg as well.

mcgybeer · March 12, 2026, 11:31am

Hi Pascal!
I don’t usually check the forum, but this post was in the latest newsletter and got my attention because of the picture of my Cute Mini Octopus.

As a designer, feel free to use any of my designs for this project. Even the paid ones, which are available on other platforms. In fact, I can send you those files for free. I’m glad to help

As a father of a little boy with several medical conditions, thank you very much for your hard work and motivation. I’ve seen myself how a small gesture (sometimes in the shape of a printed toy) brings happiness even in the hardest times.

Thanks again to all the team!
Javi

MakerWorld · March 12, 2026, 11:52am

Thank you so much for sharing this meaningful project with the community, Pascal.

What you are doing for children at Augsburg Pediatric Oncology is incredibly moving, and we deeply respect the care, love, and effort behind it. We are especially touched by the way you are approaching this with such thoughtfulness and respect for designers’ licenses and creative work.

We truly appreciate that you are asking for permission first and making it clear that these prints are:

for children in the oncology center,
provided free of charge,
and not used for any commercial purpose.

This is exactly the kind of compassion and community spirit that makes MakerWorld special.

We hope more designers who feel comfortable supporting this cause will join in and help bring a little joy to these children. For any creators considering participation, please make sure permissions and usage terms are clearly agreed upon with the original designer before printing models for this project.

In addition, some of our colleagues may follow up with you to explore the possibility of organizing a community contest together, so that even more creators can take part and help pass this kindness on.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention and for the kindness you are sharing with others. We wish you and everyone involved in the “Pieksekisten” project all the best.

— The MakerWorld Team

Smoggy3D · March 12, 2026, 12:03pm

Hi Pascal,
Feel free to use any of my models for this project