Latest news with #Grupp
7NEWS
18-07-2025
- 7NEWS
Ex-boss of major textile brand Trigema reveals suicide attempt just days after smiling for the cameras
He built one of Germany's most iconic textile empires and became a symbol of loyalty, tradition, and business success. Now, former Trigema boss Wolfgang Grupp has revealed in a deeply personal disclosure he recently tried to take his own life, just two days after smiling for photos at a company open day, surrounded by employees, friends and family. The 83-year-old made the shock admission in a personal letter to Trigema staff, shared publicly with his family's approval. 'I have been in hospital since the beginning of last week,' Grupp wrote on Thursday. 'Unfortunately, I only now feel able to speak for myself.' The textile tycoon admitted deep personal struggles triggered the incident. 'I am in my 84th year and suffer from what is known as old-age depression. 'You start wondering if you're even needed anymore. 'I have therefore tried to end my life. 'It may take a little longer until I will have fully recovered.' The troubling episode followed a mysterious early‑morning incident at Grupp's home in Burladingen, which prompted a major emergency response. From smiles to silence On Saturday, July 5, Grupp appeared the picture of confidence at Trigema's open day in the small town where the company was founded in 1919 and remains its headquarters, in Burladingen, Baden-Wuerttemberg. Tanned, wearing a yellow blazer, and flashing his trademark smile, the Trigema patriarch shook hands, posed for dozens of photos, and gave guests tours of his office proudly showing off the desk where he led the company for more than half a century. Among the visitors was Mihael Lovric, who posted a photo with Grupp, describing him as 'charming and full of life'. But just two days later, on July 7, a rescue helicopter was called to the Grupp family home in Burladingen. Grupp was rushed to hospital with serious injuries. Police confirmed they attended the scene but ruled out foul play. 'There are no indications of third-party involvement,' a spokesperson said, adding no criminal investigation was underway. Local news outlets reported unconfirmed rumours of gunshots near the Trigema site around the same time, though police have not commented. A man who never let others down Trigema is a well-known German sports and leisurewear brand, iconic for its 100 per cent 'Made in Germany' production, ethical manufacturing, and family ownership, with products exported globally and respected in niche markets for quality and sustainability. Grupp became CEO of Trigema in 1969 at the age of 27, taking over the company founded by his grandfather in 1919. Over five decades, he turned it into a household name, known for its 'Made in Germany' label and commitment to ethical production. Notably, he never made a single worker redundant for operational reasons — a point of pride he mentioned often in interviews. He also kept his family close: his wife Elisabeth (59) and their children Bonita (35) and Wolfgang Jr (34) were regular fixtures by his side. In early 2024, he officially handed the reins to his children, stepping back after more than 50 years at the helm. Trigema's name follows a tradition shared by other famous German brands. Like Haribo, which combines the founder's name and hometown, and Adidas, named after its founder Adolf 'Adi' Dassler, Trigema is an abbreviation of its original company name: Trikotwarenfabrik Gebrüder Mayer (Mayer Brothers' Knitwear Factory). 'The most beautiful thing is feeling needed' In a video interview recorded just a few days before the incident, Grupp was asked how it felt to let go of the company he had devoted his life to. 'The most beautiful thing in life isn't counting your money,' he said. 'It's the feeling of still being needed. Of still having value.' In his emotional letter, Grupp admitted struggling with the sense of not being needed after stepping down. He also urged anyone experiencing similar thoughts to reach out for help. 'Please, if you suffer from depression, seek professional support. 'Get help. Treatment is available.' Mental health advocates have praised Grupp for going public with his story, saying it helps break the stigma around depression in older men and high-achieving individuals. He remains in hospital, recovering from his injuries, and is reportedly stable. 'I deeply regret what happened and would undo it if I could.' If you need help in a crisis, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
CHOP doctors named 'Disruptors of the Year' for groundbreaking sickle cell gene therapy
The Brief CHOP doctors Alexis Thompson and Stephan Grupp are named "Disruptors of the Year" in the second annual Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Awards. Dr. Thompson and Dr. Grupp are recognized for being in the forefront of innovating gene therapies for patients suffering from sickle cell disease. The gene therapy is specifically designed to treat the underlying cause of sickle cell by using a patient's own blood stem cells. PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Awards celebrate all-star citizens who inspire Philadelphians make change and pursue solution-focused action. Among the honorees are two doctors from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Dr. Alexis Thompson and Dr. Stephan Grupp who have been named Disruptors of the Year. What we know Dr. Thompson is the Chief of the Division of Hematology at CHOP and Dr. Grupp is the Director of Cell Therapy and Transplant at CHOP. Both Thompson and Grupp have been in the forefront of innovative research and treatment for sickle cell disease. In 2023, the FDA approved two gene therapies after rigorous clinical trials that took place at CHOP and other sites. "To see what people have been working on in the laboratory for so long, and to actually see it finally reach a patient and for a patient to have a great outcome, it's just everything we could possibly hope for," said Dr. Thompson. "It's a rigorous process up front, but long term we hope this allows them to move through the rest of their lives with less of the burden of sickle cell disease. The need for hospitalization, the need for continuous medications that all of those things are in the past for them, and that's what we're really hoping more and more patients will enjoy." Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that can be debilitating and disproportionately affects children of African descent. The disease can cause intense pain due to deformed blood cells that can cause blockages in blood vessels. The gene therapy is specifically designed to treat the underlying cause of sickle cell disease, according to Dr. Grupp. "Sickle cell disease is a disease which traditionally has been very difficult to treat. Even though we know exactly what's wrong genetically that causes the disease, it hasn't led to anything in terms of better treatment for these patients. This is a group of patients who are fairly underserved by the medical system," said Dr. Grupp. "We can cure their disease by essentially using gene therapy. What we're doing is, collecting cells from patients. We're correcting what's wrong with the cells that produces the sickle cedll disease. We're putting those cells back into patients, and then once those cells grow within the patients, they now produce normal red blood cells which are the cause of the sickle cell disease." Tema Oladeji started receiving care at CHOP as a toddler for sickle cell disease and related complications. In 2019, her doctor recommended a clinical trial gene therapy transplant. Now in 2025, Oladeji is a first-year college student living a full life surrounded by family and friends. "I was really liberated and now I'm not tied to sickle cell," said Oladeji. "The fact that now kids are growing up are going to have that hope, they can get gene therapy treatment, and they don't have to live a life with sickle cell for the rest of their life is crazy and it's amazing. I'm so happy that future generations have amazing doctors like Dr. Thompson and Dr. Grupp to help them through this." "There are so many times when disruption is not necessarily a welcome thing. I think in this instance being able to change the arc of sickle cell disease, to be able to take science and make it work for patients has been a welcome disruption from my point of view and I really, truly am grateful for the honor," said Dr. Thompson. "We like to think that we've disrupted the care of sickle cell. I think it's really important to understand while we're at the beginning of this the big step, we need to take the time now to scale it out. Make it available to more patients," said Dr. Grupp. "This is a real opportunity to help a group of patients that the medical system has not helped as well as it should have and to use the most cutting-edge technology." What's next The Citizen of the Year Awards is on Tuesday February 25. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and former Governor Ed Rendell will also be honored at the event. The Source The information in this story is from CHOP doctors Alexis Thompson and Stephan Grupp and their patients.
