Influencer raises millions for Duchenne patients

24 May 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Latwogang raised 12 million zloty in a dramatic road fundraiser, spotlighting gaps in Polish healthcare and cross-border gene therapy access.

Latwogang raised 12 million zloty during a long charity drive from Zakopane to the north. The fundraiser crossed the milestone after roughly 40 hours on the road, amid a crowd at a roadside petrol station.

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Latwogang raised 12 million zloty during charity drive

On Friday 22 May, the influencer set off from Zakopane. After two short rests, he kept driving with a technical team. Consequently, he reached Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeship on Sunday morning. Moreover, hundreds gathered around the car at a gas stop. The livestream showed the tally passing 12 million zloty. Therefore, the organiser announced a new goal. He asked followers to help raise 3.5 million zloty for another boy named Adaś.

Organisers say the money will fund gene therapy for a child called Maks. However, the treatment costs roughly 15 million zloty. In addition, the campaign description explains that Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) destroys muscles over time. Consequently, children lose walking ability by early teens. Furthermore, the text warns that US-based gene therapies can arrest progression. Yet, such treatments lie largely outside public funding.

In Poland, public healthcare runs through the National Health Fund (NFZ). The NFZ (the state insurer) covers many treatments. However, it rarely covers experimental or very costly foreign therapies. In addition, social insurance agency ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych) handles pensions and benefits. For legal identity, citizens use a PESEL number (national ID). Therefore, families seeking treatment abroad often face administrative hurdles and urgent timelines.

The influencer admitted surprise at the scale of support. He thanked donors and said he felt proud of the nation. However, he also flagged fatigue after a night drive and cancelled a planned cycle return to Zakopane for health reasons. The charity pages for Maks and Adaś list clinical details and genetic eligibility. They also show collected sums and remaining targets. Donors gave money via online crowdfunding platforms and direct transfers. Consequently, the campaigns cleared large sums quickly.

Why this matters for expats and donors

First, high-profile fundraisers highlight gaps in treatment coverage. Therefore, expats who donate should verify organisers. Second, cross-border healthcare can be complex. In addition, you may ask your embassy for guidance on medical transfers or legal documents. Third, Polish tax rules allow relief for donations to registered public benefit organisations (OPP). Thus, receipts and KRS numbers matter. Finally, scams can appear during big campaigns. Therefore, check bank details and foundation registration before you give.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: When donating from abroad, verify the fundraiser via the Polish National Court Register (KRS) number. Ask for receipts if you need tax relief. Note that NFZ (National Health Fund) rarely pays for experimental gene therapy, so families often rely on private fundraising. Also, check that the campaign lists clear bank details, contact persons, and clinical letters. If unsure, contact your embassy or a local expat community for referrals.

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