A nine-day charity livestream hosted by Polish influencer Patryk “Łatwoganga” Garkowski raised over 251 million złoty (approximately $60 million USD) for the Cancer Fighters Foundation.
Charity Stream Inspires Massive Donations
The charitable fundraiser, led by influencer Patryk “Łatwoganga” Garkowski, began on April 17th and ran as a continuous livestream on YouTube for nine days. The initiative was inspired by rapper Bedoes’ song “Ciągle tutaj jestem (diss na raka),” created with Maja Mecan, a beneficiary of the Cancer Fighters Foundation.
Record-Breaking Fundraising Total
The stream, titled “Łatwoganga,” achieved a record-breaking fundraising amount to support cancer research and patient care. Over 1.4 million viewers watched the livestream in its final minutes.
Foundation President on the Impact
“I think everyone is surprised. We are reaching for the stars to help those who need it most,” stated Marek Kopyść, President of the Cancer Fighters Foundation, in an interview with RMF FM. He added, “We are still counting. Everything is coming in. We will be summarizing everything for weeks so that you get a clear amount.”
Plans for Utilizing the Funds
Kopyść announced the formation of a special council comprised of oncology experts to guide the allocation of funds. “Such a sum cannot be spent immediately. We are talking about changing Polish oncology. I think we are able to introduce a lot with this amount. There are many needs. We primarily want to listen,” he explained.
Changing Approaches to Cancer Care
The founder of the Cancer Fighters Foundation, which has been operating for over 10 years, emphasized the organization’s evolving approach to fighting cancer. “We’ve always shown it in a slightly different way. On our social media videos, you can see our patients having fun with volunteers,” he said on TVN24’s “Fakty po faktach.”
Financial Burden of Cancer Treatment
The foundation’s president highlighted the financial crisis that cancer treatment often imposes on families, including the lack of funds for medication and travel to medical facilities. He noted that many parents are unable to work while caring for their children battling cancer, sharing a personal experience of his mother sacrificing her career to support his treatment.
Comparable to Wielka Orkiestra Świątecznej Pomocy
The amount raised during the stream nearly matched the total collected this year by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, which raised 263,477,929.83 złoty during its 34th Finale.