Public media telethon raises over €7,2 million towards infectious diseases

Each year, Catalan public media holds a telethon, 'La Marató,' to raise money for a cause. This year, for its 26th edition, TV3 and Catalunya Ràdio have collected €7,215,676 towards fighting infectious diseases. Indeed, this amount may even increase, as donations can be made until March 31, 2018. 

The 15-hour telethon saw the participation of artists, citizens, politicians and civil society groups all across the country, and it ended well after 2 in the morning. It was ultimately deemed as finished when the TV3 telethon presenter, Helena Garcia Melero, along with singer Ferran Aixalà, called the final amount. 

In Girona, in northern Catalonia, the firefighter’s race was one of the most popular activities. It’s been held for the last 11 years, and hundreds of people participate in it.

 

By 2pm, €808,000 had already been collected for the programming that began at 8 in the morning. The telethon worked with the collaboration of patients, doctors, researchers and people who came forward to tell their own experiences.

 

This, in over half a day of media programming, with more than 3,000 activities throughout Catalonia. Each one, with the objective of raising money and awareness for infectious diseases – the cause of death for one in three individuals worldwide.

Puigdemont collects over €1,500 from Brussels

Even Carles Puigdemont, deposed Catalan president currently exiled in Brussels, played his part. He ran an activity with the drawing of a signed football jersey from the Girona FC – the town where he lived.

Clara Ponsatí, deposed Education minister also residing in Belgium, also participated in the event, where the front-row seats remained empty, reserved for incarcerated ministers Oriol Junqueras, Joaquim Forn and imprisoned civil society leader Jordi Sànchez and Jordi Cuixart. The drawing was held, appropriately, while viewing the televised football match between Girona and Getafe; the jersey was awarded after having raised €1,540.