On June 23, 2023, iGEN organized a sponsorship presentation event in Malta to connect members with local charitable organizations. Representatives from the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, Puttinu Cares, Foodbank Lifeline Foundation, and the Malta Ranger Unit delivered fifteen-minute briefings outlining their operational needs.
Foundation Operations and Medical Support
George Vella, president of the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation, detailed the organization’s transition from general household assistance to specialized medical support. The registered foundation operates under a CEO and supervisory bodies, funding all activities through donations. Vella reported that expenditures for non-formulary medicines increased from under €1 million in 2015 to €8 million in 2018, reaching €20 million in 2022. He attributed this growth to the market introduction of high-cost pharmaceutical products and noted that public perception often mistakenly treats the foundation as a government department, despite its reliance on continuous donor funding.The foundation’s monthly aid budget exceeds €1 million and covers forty chemotherapy regimens alongside specialized treatments for chronic and rare diseases. Support programs include medical equipment financing, therapy funding for children with disabilities, and logistical assistance for patients undergoing treatment abroad.
Additional initiatives provide household appliances, food vouchers, and custom hair wigs manufactured overseas using donated hair. The organization also coordinates the Rockestra concert series to generate supplementary funds.
Source: iGEN sponsorship event materials.