A magical Christmas celebration, with the real Santa Claus from Rovaniemi, Finland, and the lighting of the brightest and most optimistic Christmas tree, the Tree of Wishes, was held at the Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA Children’s Oncology Unit on Friday, 6 December 2019.
Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, President of the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer “ELPIDA,” together with the children, welcomed Santa Claus in the courtyard of the Oncology Unit. He arrived from remote Rovaniemi accompanied by the Finnish Ambassador in Greece, Juha PYYKKÖ, and his wife, Riitta LAAKSO.
The artificial snow falling in the Oncology Unit and the Christmas melodies by the Hellenic Navy marching band that resounded all through the hospital helped create a unique festive atmosphere of joy and optimism.
This warm event of love was attended by the Director of the Agia Sofia and P.&A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospitals, Manolis Papasavvas, Ukraine’s Ambassador, Mr Sergii Shutenko, the General Consul of the Ukraine in Greece, Mrs Anna Tischenko, the medical and nursing staff of the Oncology Unit, the actor and Culture Director in the Attica Region, Mr Haris Romas, and members of the Boards of the ELPIDA and ORAMA ELPIDAS Associations, sharing in the children’s joy.
The presence of “Artists for Elpida” Sakis Rouvas, accompanied by his wife Katia Zygouli, and Michalis Hatzigiannis, accompanied by Zeta Makrypoulia, gave even greater joy to the children.
After that, everyone, young and old, walked towards the interior of the Unit so they could all together light up the Tree of Wishes and write the words ‘health’ and ‘love’ on the ornaments to be hung on its branches, giving strength to the children and their families during their stay in the hospital.
“My wish is that all our children will quickly get better and return home healthy. Through our new collaborations with the greatest research centers of the world, such as the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, our goal is for 4 out of 4 of our children to be cured. My wish is to turn this hospital into a large playground full of healthy and happy children. Happy holidays to everyone!” Mrs Vardinoyannis said.
The young patients then put on a beautiful Christmas play, with songs and poems, touching everyone’s heart.
The celebration culminated, with the real Santa Claus, with his ice-pal Frodi, the Christmas hero, handing out countless Christmas gifts to the children.
The event was presented by Zeta Makrypoulia.
The visit of the real Santa Claus was part of a series of holiday events and activities organised by the Social Service of the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer ‘ELPIDA’ and Mrs Anna Panagopoulou, responsible for the Social Service and Director of the ELPIDA Guest House, building up to Christmas and enabling the children hospitalised during this time to feel the magic of Christmas.
Once again this year, the real Santa Claus from Rovaniemi came to Greece invited by the Santa Claus Kingdom, under the auspices of the Finnish Embassy. We would like to thank Luna Park Aidonakia SA and the Greek board game company, Desyllas Games, for their kind donation of the presents.
