Channel 3 Telethon is the Catalonian television telethon. It is the highest-grossing telethon in the world (1,35€ per catalan citizen, 10.000.000 € in one day…!)These spots have been shot with real patients to demonstrate that if they can call to donate, you can call too.

Each year, La Marató de TV3 carries out a day-long special television event to raise money for research into a particular disease. This year’s focus was on neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

The casting process began with an open invitation to patients and their families, extended through various associations and hospitals: The Association for Family Members of Alzheimer’s Patients; Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge; Fundació Miquel Valls; Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron; Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau; Fundació ACE and the Catalan Parkinson’s Association. Having met and interviewed many patients, we came to know their problems, the progress of their disease, how their lives have changed and, above all, we discovered how so many of them wanted to be involved in this campaign, however tough it might be for them. Out of all these volunteers we selected three: Imma Gómez (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), Lourdes Sancerni (Alzheimer’s) and Rafael García (Parkinson’s).

Their earnest desire to collaborate with the cause and with other patients (even of other neurodegenerative conditions) led us to film them so that they would appear on television with their disease and their spirit of solidarity, serving as an example to TV3 viewers. In turn, TV3 viewers responded with donations totalling more than 10 million euros.

A real casting for a real problem, with real fundraising that will provide real solutions for them.