Celebrating togetherness for the Hospital's first anniversary
The 16th and 17th of April 2025 were two days full of emotion and gratitude. We celebrated one year since the opening of the Hospital we built, having already treated 3.500 children. It was an important moment, and our thanks go out to all those who helped with their work, dedication and generosity.
Our Hospital has grown nicely, getting its fair share of smiles, love and care every day. But just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes togetherness to raise a Hospital and to support it in becoming what we all dreamed it would be.
And as we had so many reasons to be happy, we celebrated for two whole days.
On April 16, in the Atrium of the new Hospital, we held a press conference with Mr. Daniel Buzatu (the hospital manager), Dr. Anna Kadar (the medical director), Carmen Uscatu and Oana Gheorghiu, Dr. Ruxandra Vidlescu (chief of Oncology), Dr. Radu Tăbăcaru (chief of the ICU), Dr. Sorin Târnoveanu (chief of Neurosurgery) and the architect of the project, Raluca Șoaita.
April 16 was also the day we launched the online version of Radio Dăruiește Viață – the first radio in Romania to broadcast from a hospital. And not just any hospital, but one built entirely from donations and sponsorships! The radio, initially created for the patients and the staff working in the new building, can now be listened to by anyone, right from the daruiesteviata.ro website.
As for April 17, the day was all about the children and their joy. Starting at 10 in the morning, the kids and their parents worked out and played with Letiția and Dariana of WorldClass, under the quiet surveillance of the friendly Giraffe, already a mascot of the entire Marie Curie Hospital. There were contests, dance and plenty of laugher. 
Because, when you're stuck in the hospital, there's nothing more important than feeling you're not alone - that you have an entire community supporting you. And, for about an hour and a half, that's just the way it was.
At noon, singer Alina Sorescu came along to sing and dance with the children, parents and nurses, after which they all took pictures with the Giraffe. Alina was like a fairy godmother from a magical land. Time stood still and nothing mattered anymore except for the music. The children knew the lyrics to her songs and their happy little voices rang throughout the Hospital.
At 3 o'clock, the world of fairytales came to life with a puppet show: Țup – Imposibil este doar un cuvânt (Țup - Impossible is nothing but a word). The theater group of the Independent Center for Animation came over to perform a play based on one of the famous books of Alex Donovici and usually sold out in every theater in Bucharest. 
Țup, a baby lark born with no wings and short legs, showed the little ones that true strength comes from within. Through courage, acceptance and overcoming its own limits, Țup became an inspiration to all those involved.
And what else could end this day, if not a memorable party? With balloons, cake, face-painting, live music from our friends at Antract, workshops for the children and two special guests of the Giraffe: a mouse and a bear, that played with the children and made all their wishes come true.
During the small children workshop, Mihaela and her daughter, Daria, with hands of gold and warm smiles, taught the kids how to make their own giraffes and customize them with the help of our volunteers and the guys from Antract.
At the same time, artist Diana Drăghici held a Polaroid workshop for children over 12 years old. She told them all about this type of photography, the light and photographic composition, then they went searching for memorable shots throughout the Hospital. And the results were amazing!
The party soundtrack was provided by Antract, the band that reminded everyone that, if we want to change something, we first have to believe in it. They also brought presents (consisting of their album, called Lasă-te dus) and goodies for the patients and the staff. We'd like to thank them for all their trust and for the generosity they've shown.
This was the story of one of the best days spent in the Hospital that #We built. A day full of emotion, joy and hope. A day that we hope will inspire you to stay with us.
Our thanks go out to all the staff at Marie Curie, who work wonders every day, to you, our donors, with whom we keep on building every day, to our lovely volunteers and all those who made this day possible:
• WorldClass România – Givers of energy and dynamics;
• Alina Sorescu – Giver of music, dance and magic;
• Alex Donovici and the theater group of the Independent Center for Animation – Givers of emotion;
• Victor Lupu – Giver of Giraffe balloons;
• KidsJoy – Givers of fun;
• Eliana Vitriuc, Simona Ivănescu, Bianca Pătrășescu, Lavinia Tabără, Daria Ionescu, Cristina Fabian – Givers of time and care;
• Silvia Bobariu și Ștefan Banu – Givers of memorable photos;
• Diana Drăghici, Mihaela & Daria Purice – Givers of warm, therapeutic workshops for the children admitted.
And thank you, reader, for being here how. We are all part of the same Together, which is now „raising” a Hospital.
A text by Irina Ivaneț
Credit foto: Banu Ștefan și Silvia Bobariu