The Association “ELPIDA-Association of Friends of Children with cancer” has sent the most powerful message that, the children’s cancer could and must be defeated at a unique event that organized in view of the World day for the children’s cancer at the Oncologic Unit of Children “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis” , on Friday February 14th 2025.
Active actions and surprises with the assistance of the Hellenic Red Cross
With the valuable support of the Hellenic Red Cross and the slogan “We give together HOPE”, were organized a series of unique actions and visual laboratories while, a big surprise was waiting the little patients when volunteers Samaritans’ abseiled from the building of Oncologic Union and gave gifts to the children who were waiting them at the windows and balloons of their rooms.
“We warmly thank you for your valuable support at the work of our Oncologic Union. The vision of the unforgettable Marianna V. Vardinoyannis not to permit any child to be lost while we can save it, is more than ever alive”, emphasized the common Governor of the Children’s Hospital “H Agia Sofia” and “P&A. Kyriakou”, Mr. Manolis Papasavvas.
“We thank you from the depths of our heart the Hellenic Red Cross which is through the years a pylon of humanity, solidarity and hope, ideals that correspond at the vision and mission of our Association. Our cooperation lasts for many years and we are very proud that, this cooperation is strengthened with much more co-actions”, Mrs. Tzortzina Ellina, the General Secretary of the Association “ELPIDA” said, thanking the Hellenic Red Cross and she awarded to the President of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dr. Antonis Avgerinos, and an honorary plague.
Dr. Antonis has emphasized that: “Today is a day of joy, hope and optimism. And this hope and optimism is grounded at the work that the Oncologic Hospital offers. We will always be at your side, to support you and walk together with all our strength, with common principles, awareness and positions in issues of humanism and offer. We have succeeded a lot and we invest in much more” and he awarded honorary distinctions at the Association “ELPIDA”, the Oncologic Children’s Unit and the Gust House “ELPIDA:
1.200 km with the bicycle: Course of hope from the Cyclist, Sotiris Barbarosos
The actions of the day reached to the top with the reception of the Cyclist, Sotiris Barbarosos, the brave messenger of ELPIDA who, from February 7th until 14th 2025 has contacted a superhuman task having made with his bicycle 1.200 km passing through 20 Greek Municipalities and spreading everywhere a message against the children’s cancer.
Sotiris Barbarosos started from Ermioni, the birth place of the founder of the Association “ELPIDA” Mariana V. Vardinoyannis and he has created with hi course the golden ribbon which is the world symbol for the children’s cancer having as goal, the message of “ELPIDA”. to be heard in every corner of the Greece.
During Sotiris Barbarosos course, volunteers of the regional departments of the Hellenic Red Cross were at his side to offer him the first aids in case of need.
The moment of his arrival has excited the littlie patients of the Oncologic Unit who were waiting him with gifts and balloons while the Philharmonic Band of the Athens Municipality was playing a paean at the same time.
The common Governor of the Children’s Hospital “H Agia Sofia” and “P&A. Kyriakou”, Mr. Manolis Papasavvas said that: “with this impressive venture you have sent to our children an important message: that, through their battle they will soon reach to the end as winners”.
Mrs. Tzortzina Ellina, the General Secretary of the Association “ELPIDA” said, thanking Sotiris Barbarosos for his great support to the work of “ELPIDA” has awarded to him a honorary plaque of the Association and emphasized that: “ With your example you have shown to our children that, the strength of will has not limits. Each pedal, each kilometer of the course was and is a message of hope”.
An especially touching moment was when, the young Angelos, representing all children of “ELPIDA” has warmly thanked Sotiris Barbarosos and handed him over a card made from all children.
