The 2016/2017 Bulgarian Christmas campaign will be in support of children with severe chronic diseases, President Rosen Plevneliev has announced. The head of state proclaimed officially the start of the charity initiative’s 14^th edition, held under his auspices. The campaign aims at providing modern and high tech facilities for diagnostics, including genetic researches, treatment, medical supplies and additional tools, alongside rehabilitation, speech and psychologic therapy. Rosen Plevneliev pointed out that 3,409 children have received help over the 13 years so far, a total of EUR 14 mln. have been collected and 229 medical centers across the country have received as donation modern high-tech equipment for treatment and rehabilitation.

“In 2012 we adopted new rules for collecting and allocating of funds from the charity initiative and we promised its full transparency, public responsibility and effectiveness in the pursuing of the mission that we set as a goal. For the 5^th time the Bulgarian Christmas accentuates on a concrete subject with the idea to focus public attention on a current problem in the sphere of children healthcare, aiming its efforts at the finding of sustainable solutions for it,” the president stated.

358 children were supported in 2012 with over EUR 33,000 granted for them while 13 hospitals received new medical equipment. In 2013 the Bulgarian Christmas, devoted to the rehabilitation of children with neurological diseases collected over EUR 1 mln. which provided support to 482 children and 10 rehab centers across the country received medical appliance for nearly EUR 750 mln. In 2014 the initiative subjected Less Visually Impaired and Hearing-Damaged Children collected EUR 1,800,000, supported 524 kids and 30 health centers received support. In 2015 the focus was on children with congenital diseases. Nearly EUR 1 mln. got collected and 496 children received help for diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation. 10 medical centers received medical equipment. The 13^th edition of the Bulgarian Christmas, devoted to children in intensive care gathered nearly EUR 1.2 mln. 480 children were supported and medical equipment was donated to 19 centers across the country. Changes have been made over the past years in the clinical pathway for rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, rheumatoid arthritis and nephrotic syndrome. Thus their medicament therapy is now provided by the National Healthcare Fund. Screening for eye and hearing diseases has also been implemented.

Ralitsa Eneva, a mother of a child, supported by the Bulgarian Christmas, comments:

“Raising up a child is a mission where every parent gives the best possible. It is much more complicated to raise a child with special needs, but it is also a path which brings in different meaning into our days. When 4 years ago Rado received the diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy we were scared and lost. We took up a path, full of challenges while looking for a cure. We found out that we felt happiest in Bulgaria where we have our family and friends and where the Bulgarian Christmas exists. It has been helping Rado for 2 years now for his everyday rehabilitation that he needs so much. The initiative also supports many other children. There are always children who need support. The presidential institution has left a deep trace and serves as an example for doing good. Being a mother I will continue the fight for the good of my children and I wish all the others faith and love in the hearts with more good deeds on their list.”

Anyone can donate EUR 0.5 with an SMS at 1117 or can help by online banking donation or through bgkoleda.bg.

English version: Zhivko Stanchev