VODAFONE FOUNDATION – FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR THE ”LIFE FOR NEWBORNS FUND”

For over a quarter-century in Romania, the Vodafone Foundation has been a beacon of positive change, particularly in the healthcare sector. Its contributions range from reconstructing entire hospital wards to equipping them with cutting-edge technology. However, despite numerous societal efforts, many small towns and rural areas grapple with subpar hospital infrastructure. This inadequacy pushes mothers from these regions to journey great distances to urban centers, drawn by the belief that “doctors in Bucharest know best”. With an increasing number of newborns facing severe health conditions, these treks become not just exhausting but perilous, occasionally resulting in tragic outcomes for the infants.

A potential solution to bridge this gap is telemedicine. The Vodafone Foundation aims to integrate all Romanian maternity hospitals into a unified system. This enables doctors to swiftly liaise with specialists elsewhere, share crucial medical data securely, discuss diagnoses, seek second opinions, and determine the best care pathway for the patients – whether it’s a transfer to a specialized facility or treatment in their current location. This telemedicine initiative aims to expedite care decisions for over 6,000 critically ill newborns annually.

The goal was to launch a compelling campaign to garner funds, ensuring the telemedicine platform from the Vodafone Foundation could be rolled out across 17 maternity hospitals, and to also facilitate the procurement of necessary medical equipment.

To orchestrate a comprehensive campaign and maximize donations, we incorporated several key elements. We started with a video manifesto that vividly illustrates the heartbreaking reality families endure when a newborn tragically passes away (View here) and three doctor testimonials sharing their firsthand experiences with the Vodafone Foundation’s Telemedicine. These testimonials shed light on their encounters in emergency rooms and the profound moments when lives are saved. Watch them here, here, and here.

A call to arms followed, emphasizing collective potential to save lives, and showcasing the Vodafone Foundation’s tireless efforts as a pioneering NGO that constantly seeks to elevate its impact. The Vodafone Foundation secured over 16,000 new SMS donations, accumulating to €192,000 (with a 6-month subscription at €2 per donor monthly). Owing to the influx of new subscribers, the Vodafone Foundation commenced telemedicine integrations in five hospitals, a full six months ahead of schedule. The campaign reached an impressive 9.1 million viewers, with multiple airings across channels like Antena3, RomaniaTV, Realitatea Plus, and Euronews. The Media Coverage had over 90 pieces in digital media outlets, amassing a reach of 1.6 million individuals.