National Charities

 

In December of most years since 1978, the major Chilean television networks hold a 27-hour telethon (known locally as "Teletón") to raise funds to help children with developmental disabilities (most commonly cerebral palsy) in Instituto de Rehabilitación Infantil ("Infant Rehabilitation Institute") centers.

The Chilean Telethon is transmitted by all channels of Chilean television & many radios. Since the telethon started, more than USD 286 million has been raised (including a record of more than US$26 million in the 2007 event on November 30 - December 1, 2007) and 10 rehabilitation centers have been constructed in the cities of: Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Santiago, Talca, Concepción, Temuco & Port Montt.

In proyect there are 4 new centers in the cities of: Calama, Coihaique, Copiapó & Valdivia. During the annual event, local and worldwide stars participate in live events around the country. The Chilean telethon host has always been Mario Kreutzberger, also known as Don Francisco, who is the symbol of "La Teletón" in Chile.

In Chile, the telethon is an event of national unity and is proportionally, the most widely watched telethon in the world.'

There is also a local telethon running, the Days for the Disabled Magellanic Children (Jornadas por el Niño Impedido Magallánico), to raise funds to help disabled children of the Magallanes and Última Esperanza provinces, in an effort led by the local Lions Club. The 2006 Days raised US$ 515.000

 

 

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