'La Marató' annual telethon raises over €8m for cardiovascular diseases

After almost 15 hours of fundraising on TV3 and seven hours on Catalunya Ràdio, Catalonia's annual telethon 'La Marató' has raised €8,034,807 for cardiovascular diseases.

The announcement was made around 2am after hours of live broadcasting for the 31st edition of this telethon. 

Across Catalonia, 3,132 different initiatives were organized by 2,126 entities in order to raise money for research and sensibilization of cardiovascular diseases. 

This is the first death cause in developed countries.

Throughout the televised broadcast, members of the public as well as well-known figures shared their stories of cardiovascular troubles, stressing the importance of early diagnosis and the need to break taboos.

Researchers focused on cardiovascular diseases will be able to submit their project for consideration to the 'La Marató de TV3' foundation from February 2023. An international committee will evaluate the different projects that, if elected, will start to get funding during the last quarter of 2023. 

Donations were made via the 900215000 hotline, via the internet, through bank transfer, the Bizum transfer app, and on ATMs. People will be able to donate until March 31.

Covid-19, cancer, infectious diseases

Organized by public broadcasters TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio, every year since 1992 La Marató telethon raises millions in public donations for a different medical cause.

Last year, over 30 presenters lead the show that raised over €9 million for research on mental health.

In 2020, after around 18 hours of uninterrupted programming over €10 million was raised for research on Covid-19.  

In 2019, the telethon focused on rare diseases, and in previous years on cancer and infectious diseases.