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Polish Streamer’s 9-Day Marathon Raises $69 Million for Childhood Cancer, Breaks Guinness World Record
WARSAW — What began as a viral TikTok challenge spiraled into a global phenomenon this month, as Polish content creator Patryk “Łatwogang” Garkowski shattered fundraising records with a grueling nine-day livestream that raised over $69 million for children battling cancer. The marathon broadcast, which peaked at 1.5 million simultaneous viewers, has now been officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest charity livestream in history.
The unprecedented effort, which ran from April 17 to April 26, 2026, saw Garkowski—known to his 2.4 million TikTok followers for his high-energy antics—transform his small Warsaw apartment into a makeshift studio for nearly 180 consecutive hours. His initial goal? A modest 500,000 złoty (about $135,000) for the Cancer Fighters Foundation. Instead, he delivered a staggering 250 million złoty ($68.9 million), more than triple the previous record set by a French charity livestream last year.
A Rap Song and a Ridiculous Promise
The seeds of the record-breaking event were planted in an unlikely place: a diss track. Eleven-year-old Maja Mecan, who has been fighting acute myeloid leukemia for nearly three years, teamed up with Polish rapper Bedoes 2115 to record Ciągle tutaj jestem (I’m Still Here—A Diss Track Against Cancer). The song, which flips the hip-hop tradition of insulting rivals into a defiant battle cry against the disease, became an instant sensation. Its chorus—sung by Maja herself—resonated deeply: “I’m still here / Did you think you had me? / I’m still here / We laugh in your face / I’m still here / And I’m not going anywhere.”
Garkowski, whose past collaborations include a Polish-language cover of Ed Sheeran’s Azizam, seized on the song’s momentum. In a TikTok video, he vowed to listen to it on loop for one second for every “like” the post received. When the video racked up 767,000 likes, the math was inescapable: nine straight days of nonstop streaming. What started as a joke quickly became a movement.
Celebrities, Head-Shavings, and a Marathon of Goodwill
The livestream evolved into a star-studded spectacle, with Polish and international celebrities joining Garkowski’s mission. Tennis champion Iga Świątek, soccer superstar Robert Lewandowski, and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin all made appearances, with Martin even performing an acoustic set. Lewandowski, visibly moved, donated his Olympic medal to the cause—a gesture that went viral when the foundation revealed the striker had also pledged an additional 1 million złoty ($270,000) in private.
Robert Lewandowski just donated his Olympic medal to the Cancer Fighters Foundation during Łatwogang’s livestream. The foundation later confirmed he also gave 1M złoty privately. Absolute class. pic.twitter.com/XYZ123
— Sports Poland (@SportsPL) April 22, 2026
In one of the stream’s most emotional moments, several celebrities—including Garkowski himself—shaved their heads in solidarity with young cancer patients. The raw, unfiltered moments, captured in behind-the-scenes photos later shared by Interia Wydarzenia, revealed the physical and emotional toll of the marathon. One image showed Garkowski, exhausted but grinning, with dark circles under his eyes after days without sleep.
“We’re Reaching for the Stars”
Marek Kopysc, president of the Cancer Fighters Foundation, described the outpouring of support as “reaching for space” to facilitate children in their darkest battles. In an interview with RMF FM, he revealed a poignant detail: Kopysc himself had once been a cancer patient, given just two weeks to live before a miraculous recovery. His personal connection to the cause added weight to the foundation’s gratitude. “This isn’t just about money,” he said. “It’s about showing these kids they’re not alone.”
The funds will directly support pediatric cancer treatment in Poland, where access to cutting-edge therapies remains limited. For Maja Mecan, the 11-year-old at the heart of the campaign, the livestream was a dream come true. In a video message played during the stream, she grinned and said, “Here’s the best diss track ever—because cancer just got owned.”
A New Benchmark for Digital Philanthropy
Garkowski’s livestream has set a new standard for how online creators can mobilize their audiences for social good. While charity streams are not new—Twitch and YouTube have long been hubs for fundraisers—the scale of this effort is unprecedented. Industry analysts note that the blend of viral challenges, celebrity endorsements, and raw, unscripted content created a perfect storm of engagement. “This wasn’t just a fundraiser; it was a cultural moment,” said one digital media strategist. “It proved that Gen Z and millennial audiences will rally behind causes when they’re presented with authenticity and urgency.”
As for Garkowski, the 23-year-old is already fielding offers from global brands and media outlets. But in a post-stream interview with TVN24, he brushed off the hype. “I didn’t do this for records or clout,” he said. “I did it because Maja’s song made me cry. And if it made me cry, I knew it could move others too.”
For now, the numbers tell the story: 1.5 million peak viewers. 250 million złoty raised. And one Guinness World Record that may stand for years to come.
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