This morning, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, accompanied by Serbia’s Ambassador to Greece , Mr. Dragan Zupanjevac and his wife Borjana,visited theMarianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit to sign a Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute* and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit.Also attending the event was Greece’s Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis.

The President of the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis, welcomed ELPIDA’s guests and thanked them warmly for their interest and their support of the sick children and their families. 

In his address, Mr Georgiadis said: “Mrs. Vardinoyannis, what you all have achieved here is a miracle! One can only feel pride when one sees what has been done here. I would like to thank you and all the people who work here on behalf of the Hellenic Republic. This is Greece’s good face, and this is the face we have to show. In these dark times of crisis we can take our country forward, we can give Hope once again! This is a hospital with excellent medical staff that has received the best possible training, a hospital whose environment has nothing to envy from any other hospital in the world, while the children receive love which overflows from all quarters. It is a small miracle! We thank you, and as far as I am concerned, as Health Minster, if I can help in any way to make this miracle even greater, I will be there for you 24/7. Thank you for this heart-warming experience. Thank you very much.”

Mrs. Vardinoyannis thanked Mr. Georgiadis for his kind words and his commitment to contribute to the hospital’s work, and offered him a commemorative gift on behalf of the ELPIDA Association.

Mrs. Vardinoyannis then addressed the Crown Prince and Princess of Serbia, and expressed her emotion at their presence at the hospital, given that they have been following and supporting ELPIDA’s work for many years, but also because ELPIDA and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation have long since had a special and very close relationship with the children of Serbia – when the country was going through a difficult time, both organizations had sent humanitarian aid to the children/victims of war and later founded the “Athena” day nursery in the Zemun municipality of Belgrade. “Your presence here today is a great honor for us,” said Mrs. Vardinoyannis, “as is your wish to seal our friendship by signing a Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Μother and Child Health Care Institute and our Hospital. … Our two countries have collaborated many times in the past and I believe that, through today’s agreement, they will develop a strong alliance in the sector of Health… I would like to express my warmest thanks for your goodwill and your invaluable contribution to our efforts for the children. This is not the first time you have visited us. I fondly remember how warm your visit was to the ELPIDA Guest House a few years ago and how consistent and enduring your presence has been at our side during all our initiatives.

The humanitarian work you carry out through Lifeline Hellas, your foundation in Greece, as well as through the Princess Katherine Foundation in Serbia is ceaseless and helps many people in need – children and newborns. The people of Serbia must be proud of you and all you have achieved for the benefit of your country. But the Greek people should also feel proud, since the Princess of Serbia remains Greek at heart. … Today, as we sign the Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute and our Hospital, a new path is carved towards a society that is healthier and friendlier towards children…”

Concluding her speech, Mrs. Vardinoyannis warmly thanked Serbia’s Ambassador and his wife for their contribution to the signing of the Memorandum, as well as for their visit to the Hospital.

Crown Prince Alexander then took the floor and said: “Congratulations on the hard work you do here at ELPIDA for the children. We are deeply moved. It is unbelievable that our two countries have such a collaboration. We’re very proud and we admire you, since we have known you and the hard work you do for many years. We are most impressed by the film we just watched presenting everything ELPIDA has achieved to this day. It is very important that this hospital has the advanced technology necessary in order to cure so many children, among which is one of ours, little Theodora…”

This was followed by Crown Princess Katherine’s address, who said, among other things: “I am very moved today, because I had heard about this dream we see here and I was certain it would be realized because the friendship between my family and Mrs. Vardinoyannis’s family for the past 30 years. In the heart of my friend, Marianna, and her team at ELPIDA, who all work together, this vision has always existed, and I new that it would come true; that it would not slip away. They first set the foundation in their mind and then the actual foundations of that which they wish to build. What they build they build with love, care and the conviction that, with the help of God, it will come to pass. ELPIDA’s dedication, under the guidance of Marianna, is something that I have seen nowhere else in the world. What ELPIDA has done, in terms of the guest houses and the children throughout Greece, is a shining example. I am waiting to see similar initiatives carried out by other organizations. I know there are many willing to help. I am very proud of Lifeline and its president, Mr. Bukouvalas and the Board, which has not only helped Serbia but, for the past 4 years, as he mentioned, has also been helping Greece. This honor you have extended to us today I will remember a long as I live. For I too have dedicated my life to helping the children in Serbia. I have seen the pain, the shortages, I have seen the anguish of the parents and of children who are no longer in this world. Here, this team keeps the children alive. This team gives love, and care, and medical attention. What makes Marianna special is the fact that she learned about the joy of giving when she was a little girl, and I believe she learned it from her parents, as I did from mine, who would tell me: you have two hands – one for you and one with which to help others. There is no greater happiness than giving. But we have to learn to do it at an early age. The children here at the Oncology Unit see what is being offered, you become an example to them, and when they grow up they will never forget what you offered them and, first and foremost, that you gave them life, the greatest gift God can give us. I am very proud of my husband who brought me to Serbia, to a place that I can give, but Marianna’s example should be emulated by everyone. Marianna’s success is not due only to her persistence and her love, but also to the fact that she has a sense of priority. That’s why she’s a wonderful grandmother, mother and wife, and her conscience is at peace for, while she helps others, she has not neglected her own family. Marianna, may God give you and everyone here strength and health, in order for you to continue your great effort, for people to see what you can create even during hard times… I would like you to know that I am here, at your side, and that this collaboration with the Mother & Child Health Care Institute will enable us to exchange ideas and thoughts, and one day I would like our doctors to come here and your doctors to visit us. That is the basis of this collaboration: both of us working together towards a better future. The gift that I would like to offer you is for two doctors from here and two doctors from Serbia to go together to Texas, at our expense, to enrich their knowledge. That is what the Princess Katherine Foundation and Lifeline are offering. The medical equipment here is amazing. Now let’s concentrate on our doctor’s learning something new and being able to work better. May God be with you as you continue with your work. I will always be at your side. I would like to share my efforts between Greece and Serbia. Greece saved our children; now it’s Serbia’s turn to save yours.”

Princess Katherine also made special mention of Mr. Vardis Vardinoyannis, saying: “Despite the fact that Mr. Vardinoyannis is not here today, he is in our thoughts. Because, first of all, he is a great philanthropist and the greatest gift he has given us is his choice: Marianna. By giving us this gift and these wonderful children and grandchildren they have borne – that is their strength and it is thanks to that strength that they continue to help everyone. I would like to say a big thank you to Vardis for his big heart, his generosity, and Marianna.”

Mrs. Vardinoyannis thanked her warmly for her contribution and her kind words, and invited her and Crown Prince Alexander to place the Serbian flag on the Map of Peace and Hope: “On this map,” Mrs. Vardinoyannis explained, “we color in the countries with which we collaborate as part of our twinning program and place their flags on it. Our objective is to color in the entire map and to place on it as many flags as possible, thus honoring the various countries and our collaboration with them.”

The event closed with the placing of stars with the names of the Crown Prince and Princess of Serbia on the hospital’s Wall of Stars, which already features many stars with the names of famous people who have visited the Hospital.

But the most moving part of the event was when Christina Fytili, one of ELPIDA’s kids and a cancer survivor, who was present, said: “I would like to say, from the bottom of my heart, that if someone told me I absolutely had to change a time of my life, the only time I wouldn’t change is the time I was sick. Because this whole experience made me become the person I am and the person I really wanted to become. Especially to the parents whose children are being treated here, I would like to say that I received a diagnosis of cancer and then later on Ι had a relapse. My first diagnosis was in 1995. There was no ELPIDA Association back then, no hospital and no guest house. I didn’t live in Athens, and my parents had to drive me in 3 times a week, covering 450 kilometers. There was nowhere for us to stay, no help, and no one to talk to. The conditions were very bad. The second time, after my relapse, I stayed at the guest house and I saw that the children there enjoyed the facilities of a luxury hotel. They must know how lucky they are to have ELPIDA at their side. I know how important it is. It is a gift from God, because I know what it’s like to face difficult situations without ELPIDA and what it’s like to face difficult situations with ELPIDA at your side.”

Attending the event were:  The Deputy Director of the Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Mrs. Irini Todoulou; The Chairman of Lifeline Hellas, Dr. Zissis Boukouvalas and his wife, Dr. Alkistis Prinou; the members of the  Board of Directors of Lifeline Hellas, Mr. Yannis Sachinis and Mrs. Nassia Papamanoli; the members of the  Board of Directors of ELPIDA, Mesdames Eleni Samara-Konstantakatou, Katie Philippidou and Rita Moraitaki; and Princess Katherine’s sister, Mrs. Betty Roumelioti.

* Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute was founded in 1953 and includes, among other things, a pathology and surgical pediatrics clinic and a fertility research department, as well as a guest house where the parents of the kids undergoing chemotherapy can stay, as long as their home is over 100 kilometers away. 

This morning, Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia, accompanied by Serbia’s Ambassador to Greece , Mr. Dragan Zupanjevac and his wife Borjana,visited theMarianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit to sign a Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute* and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit.Also attending the event was Greece’s Minister of Health, Mr. Adonis Georgiadis.

The President of the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, Mrs. Marianna Vardinoyannis, welcomed ELPIDA’s guests and thanked them warmly for their interest and their support of the sick children and their families. 

In his address, Mr Georgiadis said: “Mrs. Vardinoyannis, what you all have achieved here is a miracle! One can only feel pride when one sees what has been done here. I would like to thank you and all the people who work here on behalf of the Hellenic Republic. This is Greece’s good face, and this is the face we have to show. In these dark times of crisis we can take our country forward, we can give Hope once again! This is a hospital with excellent medical staff that has received the best possible training, a hospital whose environment has nothing to envy from any other hospital in the world, while the children receive love which overflows from all quarters. It is a small miracle! We thank you, and as far as I am concerned, as Health Minster, if I can help in any way to make this miracle even greater, I will be there for you 24/7. Thank you for this heart-warming experience. Thank you very much.”

Mrs. Vardinoyannis thanked Mr. Georgiadis for his kind words and his commitment to contribute to the hospital’s work, and offered him a commemorative gift on behalf of the ELPIDA Association.

Mrs. Vardinoyannis then addressed the Crown Prince and Princess of Serbia, and expressed her emotion at their presence at the hospital, given that they have been following and supporting ELPIDA’s work for many years, but also because ELPIDA and the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation have long since had a special and very close relationship with the children of Serbia – when the country was going through a difficult time, both organizations had sent humanitarian aid to the children/victims of war and later founded the “Athena” day nursery in the Zemun municipality of Belgrade. “Your presence here today is a great honor for us,” said Mrs. Vardinoyannis, “as is your wish to seal our friendship by signing a Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Μother and Child Health Care Institute and our Hospital. … Our two countries have collaborated many times in the past and I believe that, through today’s agreement, they will develop a strong alliance in the sector of Health… I would like to express my warmest thanks for your goodwill and your invaluable contribution to our efforts for the children. This is not the first time you have visited us. I fondly remember how warm your visit was to the ELPIDA Guest House a few years ago and how consistent and enduring your presence has been at our side during all our initiatives.

The humanitarian work you carry out through Lifeline Hellas, your foundation in Greece, as well as through the Princess Katherine Foundation in Serbia is ceaseless and helps many people in need – children and newborns. The people of Serbia must be proud of you and all you have achieved for the benefit of your country. But the Greek people should also feel proud, since the Princess of Serbia remains Greek at heart. … Today, as we sign the Memorandum of Collaboration between Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute and our Hospital, a new path is carved towards a society that is healthier and friendlier towards children…”

Concluding her speech, Mrs. Vardinoyannis warmly thanked Serbia’s Ambassador and his wife for their contribution to the signing of the Memorandum, as well as for their visit to the Hospital.

Crown Prince Alexander then took the floor and said: “Congratulations on the hard work you do here at ELPIDA for the children. We are deeply moved. It is unbelievable that our two countries have such a collaboration. We’re very proud and we admire you, since we have known you and the hard work you do for many years. We are most impressed by the film we just watched presenting everything ELPIDA has achieved to this day. It is very important that this hospital has the advanced technology necessary in order to cure so many children, among which is one of ours, little Theodora…”

This was followed by Crown Princess Katherine’s address, who said, among other things: “I am very moved today, because I had heard about this dream we see here and I was certain it would be realized because the friendship between my family and Mrs. Vardinoyannis’s family for the past 30 years. In the heart of my friend, Marianna, and her team at ELPIDA, who all work together, this vision has always existed, and I new that it would come true; that it would not slip away. They first set the foundation in their mind and then the actual foundations of that which they wish to build. What they build they build with love, care and the conviction that, with the help of God, it will come to pass. ELPIDA’s dedication, under the guidance of Marianna, is something that I have seen nowhere else in the world. What ELPIDA has done, in terms of the guest houses and the children throughout Greece, is a shining example. I am waiting to see similar initiatives carried out by other organizations. I know there are many willing to help. I am very proud of Lifeline and its president, Mr. Bukouvalas and the Board, which has not only helped Serbia but, for the past 4 years, as he mentioned, has also been helping Greece. This honor you have extended to us today I will remember a long as I live. For I too have dedicated my life to helping the children in Serbia. I have seen the pain, the shortages, I have seen the anguish of the parents and of children who are no longer in this world. Here, this team keeps the children alive. This team gives love, and care, and medical attention. What makes Marianna special is the fact that she learned about the joy of giving when she was a little girl, and I believe she learned it from her parents, as I did from mine, who would tell me: you have two hands – one for you and one with which to help others. There is no greater happiness than giving. But we have to learn to do it at an early age. The children here at the Oncology Unit see what is being offered, you become an example to them, and when they grow up they will never forget what you offered them and, first and foremost, that you gave them life, the greatest gift God can give us. I am very proud of my husband who brought me to Serbia, to a place that I can give, but Marianna’s example should be emulated by everyone. Marianna’s success is not due only to her persistence and her love, but also to the fact that she has a sense of priority. That’s why she’s a wonderful grandmother, mother and wife, and her conscience is at peace for, while she helps others, she has not neglected her own family. Marianna, may God give you and everyone here strength and health, in order for you to continue your great effort, for people to see what you can create even during hard times… I would like you to know that I am here, at your side, and that this collaboration with the Mother & Child Health Care Institute will enable us to exchange ideas and thoughts, and one day I would like our doctors to come here and your doctors to visit us. That is the basis of this collaboration: both of us working together towards a better future. The gift that I would like to offer you is for two doctors from here and two doctors from Serbia to go together to Texas, at our expense, to enrich their knowledge. That is what the Princess Katherine Foundation and Lifeline are offering. The medical equipment here is amazing. Now let’s concentrate on our doctor’s learning something new and being able to work better. May God be with you as you continue with your work. I will always be at your side. I would like to share my efforts between Greece and Serbia. Greece saved our children; now it’s Serbia’s turn to save yours.”

Princess Katherine also made special mention of Mr. Vardis Vardinoyannis, saying: “Despite the fact that Mr. Vardinoyannis is not here today, he is in our thoughts. Because, first of all, he is a great philanthropist and the greatest gift he has given us is his choice: Marianna. By giving us this gift and these wonderful children and grandchildren they have borne – that is their strength and it is thanks to that strength that they continue to help everyone. I would like to say a big thank you to Vardis for his big heart, his generosity, and Marianna.”

Mrs. Vardinoyannis thanked her warmly for her contribution and her kind words, and invited her and Crown Prince Alexander to place the Serbian flag on the Map of Peace and Hope: “On this map,” Mrs. Vardinoyannis explained, “we color in the countries with which we collaborate as part of our twinning program and place their flags on it. Our objective is to color in the entire map and to place on it as many flags as possible, thus honoring the various countries and our collaboration with them.”

The event closed with the placing of stars with the names of the Crown Prince and Princess of Serbia on the hospital’s Wall of Stars, which already features many stars with the names of famous people who have visited the Hospital.

But the most moving part of the event was when Christina Fytili, one of ELPIDA’s kids and a cancer survivor, who was present, said: “I would like to say, from the bottom of my heart, that if someone told me I absolutely had to change a time of my life, the only time I wouldn’t change is the time I was sick. Because this whole experience made me become the person I am and the person I really wanted to become. Especially to the parents whose children are being treated here, I would like to say that I received a diagnosis of cancer and then later on Ι had a relapse. My first diagnosis was in 1995. There was no ELPIDA Association back then, no hospital and no guest house. I didn’t live in Athens, and my parents had to drive me in 3 times a week, covering 450 kilometers. There was nowhere for us to stay, no help, and no one to talk to. The conditions were very bad. The second time, after my relapse, I stayed at the guest house and I saw that the children there enjoyed the facilities of a luxury hotel. They must know how lucky they are to have ELPIDA at their side. I know how important it is. It is a gift from God, because I know what it’s like to face difficult situations without ELPIDA and what it’s like to face difficult situations with ELPIDA at your side.”

Attending the event were:  The Deputy Director of the Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, Mrs. Irini Todoulou; The Chairman of Lifeline Hellas, Dr. Zissis Boukouvalas and his wife, Dr. Alkistis Prinou; the members of the  Board of Directors of Lifeline Hellas, Mr. Yannis Sachinis and Mrs. Nassia Papamanoli; the members of the  Board of Directors of ELPIDA, Mesdames Eleni Samara-Konstantakatou, Katie Philippidou and Rita Moraitaki; and Princess Katherine’s sister, Mrs. Betty Roumelioti.

* Serbia’s Mother & Child Health Care Institute was founded in 1953 and includes, among other things, a pathology and surgical pediatrics clinic and a fertility research department, as well as a guest house where the parents of the kids undergoing chemotherapy can stay, as long as their home is over 100 kilometers away.