Charity tournament for Julek
On the 12th of June, a unique football tournament took place in the hall of the Sports Centre of the Silesian University of Technology as part of the charity event "We play for Julek", organized jointly by the Silesian University of Technology and the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Silesia. The results of the games, however, were of secondary importance – hundreds of people came to watch the competition between lecturers and students of the Silesian University of Technology and the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Silesia, but above all to support the fundraiser for Julek Proń-Zawiski.
“Good doesn’t need a reason – it just needs to happen” – this is one of many beautiful slogans we could encounter during this fantastic charity event. The aim of this day was to raise funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of 4-year-old Julek, by supporting an officially registered fundraiser conducted on the “Siepomaga” platform.
A 4-year-old Julian Proń-Zawiski suffers from a neurodegenerative disease – infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD). He is a son of Dr Hab. Eng. Radosław Zawiski, Prof. SUT from the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science at the Silesian University of Technology and Dr Elżbieta Proń from the University of Silesia.
Their colleagues, academic teachers and students decided to join forces in a unique charitable initiative. They organized and played a football tournament in which one team of employees from the Silesian University of Technology and the University of Silesia, and two teams of students took part. And although the competition was fierce and exciting, the results definitely took a back seat that day. The most important thing was the great support for Julek and the enormous commitment of many people.
- We are very touched that our universities were able to unite around this common goal and do something good together, completely straight from the heart. This is something extraordinary, invaluable, said the moved parents. - Our four-year-old Julek suffers from an ultra-rare progressive childhood disease called INAD. It allows children to enjoy life only for the first months, sometimes the first years of their lives, and then, one by one, it takes everything away. Until now it was incurable, but this year a huge opportunity has arisen for gene therapy, which will also be launched this year. This is the main goal of this fundraiser. We thank the entire community for supporting us so we can have a healthy son.
Thanks to many years of research conducted at UCL in the UK and the determination of the American INADcure Foundation, work has been completed on gene therapy, which is not only intended to stop the disease but also to give a chance to regain lost functions.
The "We play for Julek initiative was open in nature and united the academic community around the idea of help, solidarity and social involvement. This day showed that universities play not only an educational role, but also an important role in building social sensitivity and supporting people in difficult life situations.
- Thank you to everyone who organized this event and came here. We are all heroes – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Hab. Eng. Marek Pawełczyk during the opening. Among the numerous auctions was, among others, a lunch with His Magnificence the Rector. It was auctioned off by employees from the Department of Measurements and Control Systems, of which the Rector is the head.
- We hope that we surprised him - said Laura Frydrychowska-Mucha, who emphasized that the most important thing was the possibility of supporting 4-year-old Julek.
Tournament participants and fans eagerly took part in numerous interesting auctions. These included, among others, a coffee meeting with the Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Anna Chrobok, a meeting combined with a chamber concert with the Dean of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Dariusz Kania, shooting adventure with Vice-Dean Dr Hab. Eng. Dariusz Bismor, Prof. SUT and a basketball match with the Vice-Dean, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Dariusz Mrozek.
Additionally, the auction also included beautiful bouquets, a walk with a robot dog, a ride in a Fiat 126p "Maluch" and a Polonez 1500 from 1984, an Adidas ball with autographs of Piast Gliwice players (2025/2026 season) and many more. Some of the auction items are still available on Allegro Charytatywnie:
https://allegro.pl/charytatywni/cele/walczymy-by-julek-doczekal-terapii-genowej-ratuj
- This enormous support creates an extraordinary atmosphere and energy. It's truly a pleasure to be here and see the way people come together and want to help. This enriches us and I am very satisfied that I could at least help a family in such a difficult situation in this way, said Vice-Rector Anna Chrobok.
Participants could also take advantage of a cake fair prepared by the Faculty's employees and a charity barbecue.
- I am glad that so many people have gathered for this noble cause. Every day we like to complain that we should strive to have more in life, but we should be happy with what we already have. And referring to one of the poems, I would like to add: I have eyes to admire the beauty of this world. I have ears to hear my brother's voice. And I have arms and – in relation to this tournament – legs to help. What else do I need – explains the Dean of the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, Prof. Dr Hab. Eng. Dariusz Kania.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to Julek through an official fundraiser:
https://www.siepomaga.pl/julian-pron-zawiski
Let us remind you - brave 4-year-old Julek Proń-Zawiski is fighting a serious illness and still needs your financial support for further treatment and participation in clinical trials in gene therapy in the USA. You can help at any time. Detailed information can be found on the "Julek kontra INAD" profile:
https://www.facebook.com/Julek.kontra.INAD/about
