Polish Livestream Raises $69M for Kids with Cancer

When influencer Piotr Hancke promised his followers one second of livestreaming for every TikTok like, he had no idea he'd just launched a record-breaking movement. Nine days later, the charity stream raised $69 million for kids fighting cancer.

Broadcasting from a small Warsaw apartment starting April 17, Hancke (known online as Latwogang) kept cameras rolling non-stop until April 26. At one point, 1.4 million people watched simultaneously, breaking viewership records along with fundraising ones.

The stream became a national event. Tennis champion Iga Swiatek stopped by, along with soccer star Robert Lewandowski and dozens of other celebrities. Musicians performed, athletes shared stories, and several celebrities shaved their heads in solidarity with young cancer patients.

Every zloty raised went directly to Poland's Cancer Fighters Foundation, which supports children battling the disease. The $69 million total crushed the previous livestream record of $19.5 million set in France last year.

The Ripple Effect

The stream's origins make the outcome even more powerful. Rapper Bedoes recorded a song with a young cancer patient, touching Latwogang deeply. His simple idea to link TikTok likes to streaming time snowballed into something nobody expected.

"We're reaching for the stars, reaching for space, to help those who need it most, the innocent children who fight the hardest battles every day," said Marek Kopysc, president of the Cancer Fighters Foundation. Those weren't empty words. The money will fund treatment, research, and support for families navigating one of life's toughest journeys.

The success shows what's possible when social media influence gets channeled toward real good. Millions of people across Poland donated what they could, from a few zlotys to thousands. The nine days of continuous streaming created a sustained national conversation about childhood cancer and the importance of supporting families in crisis.

What started as a creative promise to followers became Poland's biggest charity event and one of Europe's most successful social media fundraising campaigns ever. One influencer's commitment, nine days of community, and $69 million reasons to believe in the power of people coming together.