The last time Metallica played in Romania was 20 years ago, and now that they have returned to the European nation they have made a very generous contribution to its medical community.
Charity is no stranger to this iconic heavy metal band, they have already been doing charity work for every city they visit on their WorldWired global tour. For example, the group donated thousands of dollars through their All Within My Hands Foundation to community food banks they passed along the way. All Within My Hands, founded in 2017, helps to create sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical services.
In continuing with their ritual of supporting a community organization in every locale they visit, Metallica donated €250,000 (about $279,000) to a Romanian association building the country’s first pediatric oncology and radiotherapy hospital that will be equipped with the latest medical technology.
The band members presented the check to Daruieste Viata (The Give Life Association), which is the organization responsible for the hospital’s construction, and they did it all prior to their sold-out concert at the Arena Națională in Bucharest, Romania.
Carmen Uscatu, President of Daruieste Viata Association, said:
The donation made by Metallica has a special meaning to our project … their music inspires and touches so many Romanians, and at the same time, so many Romanians are inspired by and contribute to the establishing of the first Pediatric Oncology and Radiotherapy Hospital in Romania, in order to give children with cancer a chance to live.
It is estimated that only 50% of children survive cancer in Romania. The average in the EU is at over 80%.
Metallica is not the only donor for this project. Mastercard also donated up to €1,000,000 towards the Daruieste Viata project alongside many others. Once complete, it will be the first state of the art hospital that will have been built in Romania in over 3 decades, while also being the only project that’s ever been funded exclusively by private donors. In total there has been roughly 260,000 individuals and 2,000 companies, which have funded this hospital.
Uscatu added:
The contribution of Mastercard, that pledged a sponsorhip worth €1,000,000 to #NoiFacemUnSpital initiative, has been a real drive in inspiring a legend like Metallica to contribute to our cause as well. We are grateful to all who make this project possible.
They aim to complete and open the hospital doors to the public by 2020.
Not only has Metallica donated towards this hospital, but they’ve been donating to good causes at every stop in their European tour. They’ve donated over $1.65 million in total.
Other donations:
- 222,740 PLN ($56,608) to Warsaw Hospice for Children Foundation in Poland
- 1,799,816 CZK ($76,866) to Obedy pro deti (Lunches 4 Kids) in the Czech Republic
- €67,000 ($73,942) to Horizont e.V. München in Germany, supporting mothers and children without permanent residence
- €25,000 ($27,590) to Neunerhaus, a social organization for the homeless and formerly homeless in Austria
- €25,000 ($27,590) to Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien, a social work and humanitarian organization in Austria
- €55,000 ($60,693) to HOPE children’s charity in Finland
- €63,000 ($69,522) to Freezone Mannheim to help the homeless young in Germany
- €35,000 ($38,631) to Capuchin Day Centre for Homeless People in Dublin, Ireland
- €35,000 ($38,631) to ISPCC, a 24-hour childline in Ireland
- £40,000 ($49,316) to Coffee 4 Craig Homeless Charity in Manchester, UK
- €24,000 ($26,490) to Stichting Kinderen van de Voedselbank children’s charity in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- €24,000 ($26,490) to Het Vergeten Kind children’s charity in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- £24,000 ($29,590) to City Harvest, a surplus food redistribution company in London, UK
- £24,000 ($29,590) to Magic Breakfast who provide healthy school breakfasts to disadvantaged children in the UK
- 300,000 SEK ($30,969) to Göteborgs stadsmission children’s charity in Göteborg, Sweden
- 300,000 SEK ($30,969) to World Childhood Foundation children’s charity in Sweden
- €33,500 ($36,973) to GEBEWO social charity in Berlin, Germany
- €33,500 ($36,973) to Berliner Obdachlosenhilfe e.V. (Berlin Homeless Help) in Berlin, Germany
- 350,000 NOK ($33,295) to MOT youth charity in Norway
- €33,500 ($36,973) to Foodbank Brussels, in Brussels, Belgium
Each of their donations has been posted on Twitter with the hashtag #MetallicaGivesBack showing the giant checks and some very surprised recipients.
