Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity sums up the 30th finale

"136 282 325 PLN is the amount declared at the end of the 30th Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity!  So did the GOCC Foundation beat the record again? Yes, as far as the declared amount is concerned, but we still have to wait for the final result of the fundraising!" - the GOCC wrote at its website.

The final sum gathered will be announced by the founder and head of the charity Jurek Owsiak at a press conference on march 30.

"Vision is considered the leading sense when it comes to a child's development. We rely on sight as the dominant sense, and any problems related to the sense of sight can hinder a child's development and prevent them from discovering the world at the same pace as their peers. Quick and precise diagnosis is a crucial factor for successful treatment of eyesight. Correct diagnosis is impossible without modern medical devices and appropriate training, so our charity - having consulted with doctors and leading ophthalmologists - decided to make children's eye diseases and disorders the focus of the upcoming fundraiser," we read at the website.

Each Grand Finale fundraiser has a medical objective. "As a result, we have found out that children with eye diseases and disorders are treated in 25 medical centres located in 17 cities across the country. There are also clinics specializing in treating children's sight, which is the first point of contact for children and parents seeking medical advice. Annually, a couple of thousand young patients are admitted to hospitals due to severe eyesight issues. Doctors help children with deteriorating eyesight, glaucoma, cataracts, various mechanical injuries, birth and developmental defects and cancer. Many of these diseases and defects require complex surgical treatment, and in 2019 alone, there were 650 pediatric eyesight surgeries performed nationwide. In addition, 25% of all surgeries focused on tumour removal" the GOCC said.

"We want to improve how hospitals and clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art medical devices. What is more, we want to establish and provide a training centre for doctors, where they will be able to practice new treatment methods and solutions" - the charity explained.  

The WOŚP Finale is a one-day public fundraiser organised by the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation. This year 1,633 headquarters were coordinating the event, including 90 outside Poland - in New York, Tokyo, Sydney, Ankara, and Stockholm, among others.

Last year, during the 29th finale, WOŚP collected nearly 127.5 million zlotys for laryngology, otorhinolaryngology, and head diagnostics.