Telethon 2004

Yesterday it started here in my country an event that takes place every year around this same time. It is a telethon in which they raise money, from donations, for panamanian disabled children. They use the money to build hospitals, get equipment for special types of procedures and so forth. Companies donate a lot of money and regular people donate what they can. I think it is very good to try to help children that for some reason are not completely healthy. This helps me appreciate the blessing of being healthy, not only me but my family. It is very good to see these children not letting their disability stop them from believing and having faith.

Several artists (singers mainly) come from all over to present their music as their donation. People then go see the artists and also donate. Every year there is a child they choose to be the symbol of the telethon, this year his name is Jose Luis Gonzalez and he is 9 years old. He is missing his arms and legs and has to use three prothesis, that enable him to move normally. The organizers of the event said they chose Jose because he has a strong spirit and is a fighter, so he was able to represent disable children from Panama. I believe the amount they are trying to reach this year is 3 million and a half. They always reach the goal. People can make donations online at www.teleton.com. It's in spanish, so if you don't speak spanish, for donating you simply have to click where it says "Dona Aqui".

This is the logo for this year and the motto is "I am the telethon".

The child on the pictures is Jose Luis, thanks to the Shrines program and the 20-30 foundation, he was able to travel in 1998 to Louisiana to the Shriners Hospital of Children, where he was operated and he received a prothesis on his legs that allowed him to walk. He had two more interventions and he needs to keep on traveling to the States for his treatments every 6 to 12 months, until he is 18 or until the Dr. says the treatment is finished.