International Childhood Cancer Day is a global collaborative campaign to raise awareness about childhood cancer, and to express support for children and adolescents with cancer, the survivors and their families.
On this occasion, the President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou visited the Children’s Oncology Unit ‘Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA’.
She was welcomed by Marianna Vardinogiannis, Greek philanthropist and Founder/President of “ELPIDA Friends’ Association of Children with cancer” and directors from the Aglaia Kyriakou Children’s Hospital and Agia Sofia Children’s Hospital.
Sakellaropoulou underlined that “every victory against this invisible enemy is a shining ray of light”.
“It reminds us that the war on cancer can be won. That almost all forms of childhood cancer can be overcome through early diagnosis and treatment. That there is hope. A hope that becomes a certainty in the faces of the recovered children,” she added.
The Greek President also referred to Elpida Foundation’s pioneering work, especially its innovative personalised treatments.
Concluding, she thanked and congratulated Vardinogiannis and her associates for their hard work.
On her part, Vardinoyannis thanked Sakellaropoulou from the bottom of her heart who visited the children at the hospital.
“With great sensitivity and love for children, she was guided to our Oncology Unit, to our School, to the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and was informed in detail about the battle we fight every day with childhood cancer,” she posted on social media.
“Her presence and her warm support gives us the strength to continue our struggle so that 4 out of 4 children become completely well. Her modesty, ethos and sincere interest touched my heart and I thank her. She is for all of us, but above all for our children, the most valuable ally that strengthens the life struggle we have been giving for 30 years,” Vardinoyannis concluded.
*More on GCT: Greece launches register for children and teens with cancer
Greece launched the national register for children and teenagers with cancerous ailments.
Registration of patients is mandatory and is done by the doctor presiding over the case, via the e-prescription system, and includes information on demographs, diagnosis and other factors.
