The Semmelweis University Foundation is this year’s beneficiary of the 12th annual “It’s good to be good!” (Jónak lenni jó!) charity fundraiser action supported by public media. The foundation’s aim is the comprehensive development of the Semmelweis Development Support Centre, Hungary’s largest media company is providing assistance in this matter.
Hungary’s unique charity media campaign, “It’s good to be good!” initiative, is supporting the development of children born prematurely and those living with congenital abnormalities this year, as announced during the press conference held on October 16th. The donations collected through the public media’s action will ensure their comprehensive care and support until they reach school age.
During the press conference, Papp Dániel, the CEO of the Media Services and Support Trust Fund (MTVA), emphasized his focus on the mental and psychological development of the new generation through mass media content in his daily life. He referred to “It’s good to be good!” as a public service brand that has provided unparalleled support to beneficiary organizations in the media world for the past decade. Thanks to this charitable collaboration, the total value of offers has exceeded 2 billion forints since 2012.
The importance of social responsibility in their work was stressed by Altorjai Anita, the CEO of Duna Médiaszolgáltató Nonprofit Zrt. (DMSZ), during the press conference. She highlighted that mass media has supported several organizations in recent years, including child protection, the needy, those requiring special attention, and those affected by environmental catastrophes. She emphasized, “It is our moral obligation to do our part to ensure that help reaches where it is most needed. The energy and resources invested in early child care and development are the foundation for giving children a chance for a full, happy childhood.”
Dr. Merkely Béla, the Rector of Semmelweis University and the President of the Semmelweis University Foundation’s advisory board, declared that the donations received during the campaign would open up the possibility for expanding the development support center.
The goal of renewing the Semmelweis Development Support Centre is to increase the number of children provided for, aiming to support around 2,000 children yearly instead of the current 650-700. Furthermore, they plan to extend the age limit from 3-5 years to follow the progress of children who were born prematurely or have congenital abnormalities until the age of 8. The complexity of the center lies in managing the patient journey for university patients and their family members, relieving parents from the need to navigate through various specialists, added the Rector.
Dr. Szabó Attila, the Director of the Paediatric Clinic and Clinical Vice-Rector of the Semmelweis University , mentioned that the clinic is the largest provider for premature infants in the country and serves as a national SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) center. He noted that the current polyclinic, along with the expanding center, provides care for infants and young children born with oxygen deficiency, metabolic illnesses, and various neuromuscular disorders, in addition to premature infants.
Siklósi Beatrix, the project manager of “It’s good to be good!”, emphasized the importance of education for public media, which is as vital a task as fundraising. Kossuth Radio channel director highlighted that in the coming months, some of the mass media’s channels would focus on the daily lives of children and families in need of development support and the opportunity for assistance. She added, “On this occasion as well, we count on the support of our viewers, listeners, readers, public figures, and market participants in the name of social responsibility to contribute to children’s early development.”
This year, you can support the Semmelweis University Foundation’s activities in various ways: by calling the telephone number 13600 and providing the identifier 04 for a 500 forint donation, or by sending an SMS with the number 04 to the same telephone number. The public media’s charity campaign also supports the organization’s work through the sale of unique items. Most of the items donated by well-known individuals are available for fixed prices on the “Jónak lenni jó!” website, and a few unique objects will be auctioned during the public media’s day-long broadcast on December 17th. The charity action welcomes contributions at the email address jonaklennijo@mtva.hu, and you can stay updated on the campaign’s progress on the webpage mediaklikk.hu/jonaklennijo.
For the past 11 years, the “It’s good to be good!” campaign, which has been awarded the Hungarian Product Grand Prize, has exemplified collaboration by creating a bridge between the Hungarian population, supporters, and those in need, generating public support. This charity initiative has even earned the blessing of Pope Francis, the Catholic head of the church, who, during his visit to Hungary, used the Hungarian phrase “Jónak lenni jó!” (It’s good to be good!).
Photo credit: Kovács Attila – Semmelweis University
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