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SCORING FOR THE KIDS

Pelé 'sells' his 1,283 goals to help set up an institute to combat childhood

Action on a small-scale can make a global impact. Pelé, the King of football, and a hospital situated in the city of Curitiba in the south of Brasil, are fully aware of this and have put it into practise to support children across the world. The Complexo Hospitalar Pequeno Príncipe is a medical centre that develops research into childhood illnesses. As well as a hospital, the complex also houses a research institute and a university, which all specialise in teaching, researching, and engaging the community in the fight against childhood diseases.

Set up in 1919, the Pequeno Príncipe is the largest paediatric hospital in Brasil, treating over 200,000 children a year suffering from a range of health problems. Due to high costs – by Brasilian standards, at least – estimated at $1 million per year, the Complexo Pequeno Príncipe has set up a campaign to attract foreign investors and partners to help support medical and scientific research.

“The right to life is universal, and we need global consensus to ensure that children are given this opportunity”, explains Ety Cristina Carneiro, Institutional Relations Manager at the Complexo Pequeno Príncipe.

According to Ety, the complex is currently developing projects working alongside institutes based in the US, Europe and other South American countries. Amongst the studies being carried out at the research institute, priorities include programmes to identify genetic mutations leading to growth problems, leukaemia and deformity, as well as learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and bipolar affective disorder. “We’re looking to strike up more partnerships with universities, hospitals and ONGs from countries like England for scientific exchange programmes and to raise funds”, explains the Marketing Manager.

One of the first attempts to gain support from abroad is the Goals for Life campaign, launched last year in London. The project is being sponsored by none other than the greatest footballer of all times: Edson Arantes de Nascimento, better known as Pelé.

The star’s participation is vital because it’s an opportunity to attract the attention of Brasilian and foreign investors, which will benefit the health of these children”, explains JosĂ© Álvaro Carneiro, coordinator of the project.

The aim of Goals for Life is to sell personalised gold, silver and bronze-minted medals representing each of the 1,283 goals that PelĂ© scored over the course of his career as a professional footballer, a feat that earned him the title of “Athlete of the Century”. According to estimates, the sale of the medals should generate R$5 million by July this year. “Initially, we need $500 thousand for the equipment that will be used for international research”, explains Ety. The money raised by Goals for Life will be reinvested back into the organisation, which spent R$3 million setting up the institute and financing the first year of research to aid the learning process and improve the lives of children.JD

Words: Elton Bacci | Pictures: Claudio Soriano