Prevention of Retinopathy of Prematurity - the programme was launched in 2001. Initially, the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation purchased 7 diode lasers for treatment centres in hospitals in Katowice, Łódź, Białystok, Poznań, Szczecin, Gdańsk, and Wrocław.
The Foundation equipped all neonatal intensive care units in Poland with 129 ophthalmoscopes (used to see inside the fundus of the eye) and 27 laser devices. Currently, there are 21 treatment centres, which the Foundation has equipped, and till autumn of 2021, doctors have examined and diagnosed 261 765 prematurely born babies and saved the eyesight of 11,473 babies (according to data from Janunary 2023)!
This type of retinopathy is caused by premature birth, and it means that the retina (part of the eye) is not developed correctly yet when the child is born. The damaged retina can eventually cause substantial loss of eyesight and, when left untreated in the early stages, can result in loss of sight. First symptoms can be diagnosed between 1 and 3 months of a baby's life, so doctors need to have access to sophisticated equipment such as laser surgery devices. The best chance to save the child's eyesight is a quick diagnosis and effective treatment undertaken as early as possible.
Retinopathy
Fundacja wyposażyła 21 wyspecjalizowanych ośrodków zajmujących się leczeniem retinopatii w najnowocześniejszy sprzęt laserowy - fotokoagulatory laserowe.
The Foundation equipped all neonatal intensive care units in Poland with 125 ophthalmoscopes (used to see inside the fundus of the eye) and 27 laser devices. Currently, there are 19 treatment centres, which have been equipped by the Foundation and till January 2021 doctors have examined and diagnosed 254 919 prematurely born babies and saved the eyesight of 10 692 babies!
The 32nd Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (GOCC) was dedicated to acquiring equipment for diagnosing, monitoring, and rehabilitating patients in pulmonology wards – catering to both children and adults. Just under five months after the campaign ended, we are ready to make our first purchases of equipment.
Reflecting on the past few months, we are filled with immense happiness and pride. Together with you, our dedicated volunteers, we have achieved so much. It is equally gratifying to see our efforts recognised beyond Poland’s borders.
The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity (GOCC) Foundation continues its battle against sepsis! Thanks to the funds raised during the 31st Grand Finale, we have already equipped 208 facilities across Poland with 510 pieces of specialist equipment. Now, we are making additional purchases to further enhance the diagnostic capabilities of microbiological laboratories!
During the 32nd Grand Finale of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity, an astounding 1,685 Collection Centres joined in, including 100 in 23 countries worldwide! Thanks to the immense dedication of our volunteers, the Orchestra's spirit resonated across 5 continents and even reached both poles! On 28th January, we witnessed an extraordinary global celebration.
