Télévie 2011: Breaking records to fight cancer

The 23rd edition of Télévie raised a total EUR 8,212,537.34, all of which will go to fund research into cancer and leukaemia. On Saturday 7 May 2011, everything at RTL Group’s Belgian and Luxembourgish subsidiaries revolved around the Télévie telethon. All day, the subsidiaries’ TV and radio stations devoted the majority of their programming to the cause. They were assisted by vast numbers of people including TV presenters, artists, and volunteers. Many of them even took to the stage that evening to show their commitment and help raise as much money as possible for the fight against cancer.

Their efforts paid off handsomely, and towards the end of the final evening, a cheque of EUR 8,212,537.34 was handed over, an unprecedented amount. In Belgium, EUR 7,175,235.34 was collected while in Luxembourg the donations came to EUR 1,037,302. This record amount of over eight million was the result of many events organised in Belgium and Luxembourg since 23 March 2011, when the Télévie 2011 campaign kicked off. This year’s fundraising activities in Luxembourg also marked the 10th anniversary of the country’s Télévie branch. In fact, a Télévie rose and an anniversary stamp were specially created, while different associations and hundreds of volunteers organised their own fundraising activities.

Other events included the 7th Télévie Challenge at the RTL Group headquarters where 30 teams spent eight hours pedalling, running or rowing, gathering EUR 60,000 in the process. In Belgium, events included a stage production which was watched by 15,000 people during 27 performances and whose proceeds went entirely to the Télévie; an internet auction that raised nearly EUR 80,000; and the Télévie Rally which attracted over 20,000 people in Namur on 1 May 2011 – a new record.

In Luxembourg, Doctor Guy Berchem from the FRCS (Fondation de Recherche Cancer et Sang) thanked all the contributors and commented: “This is a great success; we didn’t expect to pass one million Euros, so we are very happy as these funds are very important to us. Our laboratories wouldn’t be able to function today without the Télévie and if we received less money we would be in trouble.”

Jean-Pierre de Launoit, President of the Télévie adds: «Unfortunately there are still a number of children who have not yet been cured. That’s the reason why the Télévie is still important and keeps going strong.” (backstage)
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