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Friends,
It is with great pleasure that I am with you today to welcome the launch of the Christodoula March, which has been held every year since 1976 in memory of Christodoula Tofini Zebasi.
This march, which has been established by the Cyprus Cancer Society as an annual event of social solidarity, promotes principles and values such as respect, altruism, selflessness, voluntary contribution and moral support for our suffering fellow man.
The main purpose of this annual event is to inform and raise awareness among the community about the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer, as well as the support needed by our fellow cancer patients.
On a practical level, the Christodoula March is perhaps the most valuable support activity of the Cyprus Cancer Society, since it significantly enhances the financial resources of the Society every year. Through the "Arodafnousa" Palliative Care Centre, the Cancer Association offers palliative care to patients and their families.
Arodafnousa is a modern infirmary, which, in addition to palliative care, offers various reintegration programmes. The advantages of this care are remarkable, as it is now scientifically proven to offer quality and prolongation of life.
The need to introduce palliative care in all strategic plans concerning chronic diseases has been established by the European Union.
Cyprus, in adopting the proposed action, has revised its Strategic Cancer Care Plan to include Palliative Care among its pillars, while actions are being promoted to develop the National Cancer Institute, which will coordinate all cancer services. This is a project with multiple benefits for our fellow cancer patients, offering a holistic approach and the best possible help, from early prevention to treatment and palliative care.
In addition, the Ministry of Health is preparing a legal framework for the provision of palliative care services to affected patients, with a view to their inclusion in the General Health Care System.
Friends,
The Christodoula March has been established by the Cancer Association to meet this need as an event of social solidarity. Today's citizens need, more than any other time, to support and sustain their fellow man.
I therefore call upon our fellow citizens to generously support the Anti-Cancer Association, which, with its long-standing contribution, complements the work of the state and offers its support to our suffering fellow citizens.
Thank you.
(AF/MS)
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