#CLVolleyM finalists support historic Cancer Fighters fundraising campaign

Over the past several days, Poland has been united by a powerful cause: raising funds for the Cancer Fighters Foundation, an organization that provides medical, psychological, and financial assistance to children and adults battling cancer. The Volleyball community also played a visible role in this nationwide effort. Among those involved were two of the CEV Champions League Volley 2026 - Men finalists, Aluron CMC Warta ZAWIERCIE and PGE Projekt WARSZAWA, as well as players from fellow finalists Sir Sicoma Monini PERUGIA and Ziraat Bankkart ANKARA.

What began as an ambitious but modest goal - to raise 500,000 PLN (around €117,000) - quickly transformed into a nationwide movement. The campaign gained momentum through a marathon livestream led by influencer Patryk Garkowski, known online as “Łatwogang.” Broadcasting continuously for nine days from his home, he hosted a stream shaped by his guests and audience interaction.

The initiative soon captured the attention of the entire country. Major public figures joined in, including global sports stars such as tennis player Iga Świątek and football player Robert Lewandowski. As donations surged, the scale of the campaign exceeded all expectations. By the end of the stream, the total raised had climbed to more than 250 million PLN (approximately €59 million), setting a new global record for funds collected via a livestream.

Within this broader wave of solidarity, the Volleyball community contributed in tangible ways. Both Aluron CMC Warta Zawiercie and PGE Projekt Warszawa organized charity auctions, offering signed jerseys and season tickets to the highest bidders. Players also donated personal memorabilia to boost fundraising efforts. Additionally, Warsaw’s team captain Damian Wojtaszek joined a number of campaign supporters in shaving his head as a gesture of solidarity with those affected by cancer. Kamil Semeniuk of Sir Sicoma Monini Perugia contributed by auctioning his gold medal from the VNL 2025. Meanwhile, Tomasz Fornal of Ziraat Bankkart Ankara also supported the campaign and promoted it on social media, summing up the spirit of the initiative in a simple message: “Proud to be Polish.”

The campaign’s success highlights not only the power of digital communities, but also the unifying force of sport - demonstrating how public figures, including athletes and all their fans can come together to make a meaningful impact far beyond the court.