“Artist for HOPE” Alkistis Protopsalti gave a special gift from the heart to the children of the “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – ELPIDA” Children’s Oncology Unit on Monday, 6 May 2019. The beloved performer visited the Children’s Oncology Unit and read a story to the children – “The Town Musicians of Bremen” – in her own unique way, offering smiles of joy to the Unit’s young patients.
Alkistis Protopsalti was greeted by the President of the “ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with cancer,” Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, and the Director of “Agia Sofia” and “P&A KYRIAKOU” Children’s Hospitals.
The children had gathered at the Unit’s entrance early, awaiting the popular artist who, accompanied musically by her collaborator, Mr. Thomas Kontogiorgis, had prepared a different rendition of the well-known story for them, as she had incorporated popular songs into the story. The songs “S’agapo giati eisai oraia [I love you because you are beautiful]”, “Mi milas allo gi’ agapi [Don’t speak of love any more]” and “I Sotiria tis Psychis” [Salvation of the Soul] became part of the story by the Brothers Grimm, enthralling the young patients and their parents, as well as the Unit’s doctors and nursing staff, as they all hummed along and kept the beat, accompanying Alkistis Protopsalti.
Immediately afterwards, Mrs. Vardinoyannis offered souvenirs to Alkistis Protopsalti and her collaborators, thanking them for the unique experience that they offered to the children. “I would like to thank my beloved Alkistis from the bottom of my heart, as well as her collaborators, because with their sensitivity and love of children, they managed to offer us singular moments today. Their support in our great battle is truly precious. As I have also said in the past about Alkistis, I feel that she is our Angel.” Mrs. Vardinoyannis said.
Immediately following the conclusion of the event, Alkistis Protopsalti was given a tour of the Unit’s facilities and spoke with the children being treated as well as their families, giving them strength and courage.