A Polish social media influencer has raised more than \u00a350m after a nine-day, nonstop online stream during which he was joined by a parade of celebrity guests to help a charity supporting children battling cancer.<\/p>\n
Streaming from a studio flat in right-bank Warsaw, the 23-year-old influencer, known by his nickname \u0141atwogang<\/a>, listened to a charity song dedicated to children battling cancer on loop for nine days straight, filling time with entertaining dares and celebrity appearances.<\/p>\n The song \u201cI\u2019m still here\u201d<\/a>, recorded by Polish rapper Bedoes 2115 with Maja Mecan, 11, is written in the form of a rap diss track intended to insult or disrespect a rival \u2013 but aimed at cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you suffer from cancer just like me, this song is for you. I\u2019m Maja and this is my third relapse, and I have reasons to diss you,\u201d the girl says.<\/p>\n The song \u2013 at times a battle cry, at others a deeply moving tribute to young patients, their parents, nurses and doctors \u2013 features a chorus sang by Maja: \u201cI\u2019m still here\/Did you think you had me?\/I\u2019m still here\/We laugh in your face\/I\u2019m still here\/And I\u2019m not going anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n The streamer, previously best known for recording with Ed Sheeran a Polish language version of his hit Azizam<\/a>, was joined by a parade of country\u2019s leading music artists, actors, sportspeople and influencers, who recreated their biggest viral hits and pop culture moments.<\/p>\n Coldplay\u2019s Chris Martin made a brief appearance, sending a video of himself performing an improvised keyboard song featuring the Polish word for \u201cpushing\u201d the fundraising total even further, adding: \u201cSorry for my Polish!\u201d<\/p>\n Joining the stream at just past 3am, Russian-born Polish-naturalised speed skater Vladimir Semirunniy donated his silver medal from the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in the 10,000 metres event, before following the host\u2019s example and shaving his head in solidarity<\/a>, as did numerous other guests.<\/p>\n The campaign also received high-profile endorsements on social media, with Poland and Barcelona\u2019s footballer Robert Lewandowski dancing to the song on his TikTok<\/a> and donating more than \u00a3200,000.<\/p>\n A teammate, ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szcz\u0119sny, also recorded a social video<\/a> in which he was joined by Barcelona and Spain\u2019s Lamine Yamal.<\/p>\n Six-time tennis grand slam champion Iga \u015awi\u0105tek also gave her support, <\/a>donating more than \u00a320,000 and two tickets to her match at this year\u2019s Wimbledon tournament.<\/p>\n Despite an initial goal of just 500,000 z\u0142oty (\u00a3102,000), the stream is understood to be among the highest-ever fundraising events on YouTube. As of Monday morning, the total raised during the stream topped 257m z\u0142oty (\u00a352.5m), with more than 1.5 million people watching the finale with \u0141atwogang, Bedoes 2115 and child cancer patients live on Sunday night.<\/p>\n On Monday, \u0141atwogang and Bedoes 2115 thankedsupporters on Instagram, congratulating them for \u201cwhat you did for the kids and [how you] moved the entire country\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe ask the media \u2026 to publicise the fundraiser and the awareness that cancer is not a death sentence. Because that is all we care about,\u201d they added.<\/p>\n The money will support the Cancer Fighters foundation that supports children with cancer and their parents, with a public promise that every penny will be publicly accounted for on a special website.<\/a><\/p>\n