It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be with you today, to declare the beginning of this established annual humanitarian institution of the Pancyprian fundraiser.
Allow me first of all to express my deep appreciation and congratulations to the President of the Cyprus Red Cross Mrs. Fotini Papadopoulou and the rest of the Council Members for their continuous and tireless service in their goal of promoting the principles of solidarity, charity and mutual assistance. Services which also extend to a cooperation between us, which concerns humanitarian assistance to migrant residents in Reception and Accommodation Centres.
Congratulations are also due to the thousands of volunteers who, guided by these universal values and principles that unite people in every corner of the world, under a common banner, the Red Cross emblem, and with love for our fellow man, come to help and support the work of the Red Cross, inspired by a sense of social solidarity and collective action.
Today's event is planned for another year by the Cyprus Red Cross from May 6-28, 2022 and combines the launch of the pan-Cypriot fundraiser, together with a blood donation event.
The most precious good and gift that someone can offer for their fellow human beings is, undoubtedly, their blood. Blood cannot be bought, cannot be manufactured and has no substitute. It comes only from those who have understood the value of volunteering and, without expecting anything in return, offer their lives by giving blood to those in need. This donation of life to the unknown patient, whoever he or she may be, regardless of race, religion or social origin, is a tribute to selflessness and the ultimate expression of solidarity and love for our fellow man. Unfortunately, the pandemic has had a major impact on the flow of blood donors, with the result that the number of donors has been significantly reduced and the need for blood has never been greater.
Dear all,
The fundraiser is an event in the context of the World Red Cross Day with the aim to strengthen the Cyprus Red Cross Fund, so that it can adequately and effectively meet its obligations to society.
The declaration of the fundraiser takes place two days before the established World Red Cross Day, an international organization that serves people in times of war, but also in times of peace, in times of emergency, relieving suffering and giving hope for life with the sole focus on the needs of people, without any discrimination or preference for race, nation, colour or religion.
Humanity and altruism are two values that have been pervasive among Cypriot citizens throughout time. The ideal of solidarity they encompass characterizes us as a people.
The State has a duty to highlight such activities and attitudes, because they remind us that well-established societies that prosper are based on social solidarity and selfless voluntary contribution to our fellow man.
The Cypriot state and the Presidency honours the important work of the Cyprus Red Cross, which is why the President of the Republic has authorised me to announce the symbolic amount of €5,000 as the state's inaugural contribution to the fundraiser we are launching today, in addition to the recent Cabinet contribution of €50,000, as a minimum token of appreciation and recognition for what the Cyprus Red Cross has over the years offered to the Cypriot people.
Ladies and gentlemen, declaring the start of the fundraiser, I invite all citizens to actively support the work of the Cyprus Red Cross by contributing to this nationwide fundraiser. It does not matter how high everyone's contribution will be. What matters is the act of giving, even the smallest amount, since in this way we can help improve the life of one of our fellow human beings. I am sure that, once again, Cypriot citizens will prove that they are rightly characterized as a people of giving and love, something that we have demonstrated in practice for the umpteenth time to the suffering Ukrainian people.
I also urge the whole world to join the big family of volunteer blood donors and donate blood. You can be sure that the moral satisfaction from such an act will be enormous.
In closing, I would also like to congratulate OPAP Cyprus for its support of both the nationwide fundraiser and the actions of the Cyprus Red Cross nationwide.
Good luck with the fundraiser.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source[/P]
