David Popovici Donates Gold Medal to be Melted Down for Cancer Campaign
Romanian world record holder David Popovici has donated a gold medal from last year’s World Championships to be melted down as part of a cancer fundraising and awareness campaign.
Popovici, 18, donated his gold medal from the 200 freestyle at the 2022 FINA World Championships in Budapest to the Romanian organization MedLife. He has joined MedLife as an Ambassador of Hope through its #SperantaNuMoareDeCancer campaign. (It translates to “Hope doesn’t die of cancer” or, as Popovici posted to his Instagram account, “Hope is immune to cancer”.)
Popovici was part of a video production on the donation.
Popovici’s donation is, in his words, a donation of hope, to children battling cancer. The metal from his medal will be shaped into more than 100 gold bows to be given to children who have beaten cancer.
The MedLife campaign is aimed at expanding access to pediatric cancer testing and genetic screening, which can be used to tailor cancer treatments to each individual’s condition. MedLife is the largest provider of private medical services in the Romanian health care system, founded three decades ago. It is funding the #SperantaNuMoareDeCancer initiative.
Popovici won gold in 200 free at Worlds last year in a world junior record time. He would later set the fastest textile time in history in the event at the European Championships later in the summer.