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It is with great pleasure that I attend today's inauguration ceremony of the building of the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute "Nikola David - Pinedo". An Institute that, among many other things, aims to promote excellence in the field of cancer research and in the development and utilization of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
In today's global environment, in today's conditions of growth and progress, it is equally important to work and promote innovation, especially when we refer to the health sector. And the space we are launching today is precisely in line with this philosophy and serves this approach. The vision of a pioneering research centre in our country is now a fact, because of the efforts, because of the support from you, Mr and Mrs David, in memory of your daughter Nicola Pinedo David, who after two years of struggle took her last breath in 2016. A selfless act, a generous gesture that represents aspects of human greatness and highlights the nobility of our human nature. When we engage in a selfless act, we add a stone to the smoothing of any inequalities and help mitigate the problems that plague social cohesion. This altruistic approach, free from the pursuit of personal gain, promotes the basic principle that should characterise a prosperous society: the principle of solidarity that stems from genuine love for one's fellow man. This is the only way to create the network of humanity that strengthens our society and contributes substantially to the well-being of all the people.
Dear Mr. David, your magnanimous gesture, you and your family, faithful to your enduring contribution to society, is an example to be emulated. Through your own actions, among many others, your love and genuine concern for society, especially for our fellow human beings who are suffering, is demonstrated. You are leaving a legacy that will promote continuous knowledge training and the search for new therapeutic approaches to cancer, for the benefit of thousands of our fellow human beings who live and struggle daily with this disease.
For those who have experienced and are experiencing, for those who daily fight the unequal struggle against cancer in our country and beyond, today is a very important day, as it not only marks the beginning of a new research area, but also represents the result of a great effort and collaboration. Behind this space is a teamwork, a collective effort, many people who have worked very hard to create something extraordinary.
Cancer is a disease that has affected and continues to affect the lives of millions of our fellow human beings around the world.
It is important to understand that the fight against cancer is a struggle that requires cooperation and coordination from many actors and sectors of society. Scientists and physicians advance research and seek new treatment approaches, nurses provide unparalleled care and support to patients and their families, and charities and communities contribute by funding, raising awareness and supporting programmes.
The Centre we are launching today is therefore an important tool in the fight against cancer, as it will host teams of scientists, physicians and nurses involved in research and the provision of care to patients and their families. It is the result of the collaboration, cooperation, persistent and painstaking work of a large number of people with a common vision: the creation of a space that as of today has the necessary facilities to carry out advanced clinical and translational research. Here, researchers and physicians will work closely together to discover new therapeutic approaches, improve diagnosis and accelerate the development of treatments.
This is an impressive building, at the western entrance to the campus, designed with attention to detail and functionality. Its architecture exudes a sense of innovation and creativity, thus expressing the Institute's mission, which is none other than the pursuit of excellence and its emergence as a leading centre of modern interdisciplinary approach in this field.
The consortium of the project belongs to three partners: the University of Cyprus, the Karaiskakio Foundation and the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, whom I would like to warmly congratulate. Congratulations also to the Technical Services of our country's Higher Academic Institution who undertook the general supervision of the whole project, to the contractor, the surveyors, the administrative staff of the Institute and to all those who worked for its completion.
The Institute will at the same time be a landmark for our country, but also an important nucleus for the development of a national network of Research Excellence, highlighting Cyprus as a centre for cancer research and patient treatment, as well as an incubator for young scientists, creating bridges of communication and knowledge exchange with other centres abroad, while offering training opportunities.
The State, Mr David, recognising the importance of the Centre, will promote its institutional support in order to make better use of it. In consultation with the relevant Ministries, the best and most effective way to support the Centre, in cooperation with other national initiatives, will be communicated to you in the near future. And I am sure that, knowing the action of my friend Costas Christofides on financial support from the state, especially in the early years, I want you to be sure of this support, your goal is through action to secure external funding. But today I want to assure you that the state is by your side.
Cyprus, as a creative part of the European Union - and I welcome the presence of the Vice-President of the European Commission and the Commissioner for Health - can play a leading role both in the field of health and in the well-being of humanity.
I want to express again my congratulations to the pioneers of the establishment of the Institute. Their initiative, among many other things, offers the possibility of improving the lives of our fellow human beings suffering from this disease. Here is the main point. We feel particularly proud of the partnership between the University of Cyprus and the Faculty of Medicine with the Karaiskakio Foundation and the Oncology Centre. They promote collaborations and synergies between physicians and scientists that contribute substantially to the regional and international effort to fight the disease.
The best investment in tomorrow is based on scientific research, technological progress and innovation, with the health sector being the spearhead, and this is exactly what the establishment of the Institute serves.
I wish the researchers and staff of the Institute every success as they get to work immediately. I am confident that the Institute will be a source of innovation and discoveries that will lead to new therapeutic approaches, accurate diagnoses and cancer prevention.
I am confident that your perseverance, dedication and hard efforts will lead to significant successes and provide our fellow human beings with a better quality of life and our country with international recognition.
(PM/MB/SX)
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