Two awful pieces of news have shocked the entire country - within one week we have heard about the death of four-year-old Oliwia and learned about beating of Lenka, who is only three months old. The appalling events, which took place in Łódź have deeply affected people across the country. We cannot do anything for the little Oliwka, whose injuries were too severe and, according to the post-mortem, inflicted over a long period of time, but what we can do, is to make sure that we react when witness child abuse. Thanks to the watchful and careful nurses at family clinic in Łódź another tragedy has been prevented. The nurse noticed that the little girl has been bruised, and further abduction revealed that the child has been repeatedly abused by her parents.
The work that the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity has been inspired one objective - helping diagnose and cure the youngest patients. We are appalled by the fact that children are still admitted to hospitals because they are beaten or hurt by the people who were meant to nurture and protect them. We feel that it is very important to take a clear stand against violence towards children, because the abuse often happens behind closed doors it is essential to make sure we are able to react and protect the victims.
People, who feel the same way decided to take the stance against child abuse and hold a silent protest, which was meant to raise awareness of tragedies happening next door or across the hallway...the volunteers left plush toys in the vicinity of places where these dreadful events took place. The plush toys are meant to serve as a reminder that we are there to react, even though we might feel that we are imposing on someone's privacy. Hear Teddy Bear's plea: 'don't hurt me, love me!'
The fight against sepsis was the main aim of the 31st Grand Finale fundraiser which ended with over PLN 243 million raised. In less than a year, we have organized two Open Tenders to purchase medical equipment for microbiological laboratories across the country.
On 5 December, we organized the 68th Open Tender dedicated to the aim of the 30th Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, i.e. paediatric ophthalmology.
As you already know, we play with everyone and for everyone. What is more, in Warsaw we play in a totally new location! For the first time ever the heart of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity will be beating at the PGE Narodowy meadows.
