The ‘Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – Elpida’ Children’s Oncology Unit was flooded with melodies, Christmas colours and traditions from all over Greece on Monday, 16 December 2019, in a wonderful Christmas celebration that was attended by the wife of the President of the Republic, Mrs Sissy Pavlopoulou.
Mrs Pavlopoulou, who was accompanied by her granddaughters Melita, Sissy and Eva, was welcomed by Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, president of the ELPIDA Association of Friends of Children with Cancer. “I would like to thank you for being with us once again this year. Your presence here gives all of us great strength and hope to continue our work supporting children with cancer,” Mrs Vardinoyannis noted.
Mrs Pavlopoulou, deeply moved, wished all the best for the holidays, and offered the children board games which they can all enjoy together. “I would like to wish a Merry Christmas to everyone, and my hope is that we all always find ourselves in a joyful and colourful atmosphere and open embraces,” Mrs Pavlopoulou told the children.
Afterwards, the children of the Oncology Unit sang Christmas carols, and each one talked about the Christmas traditions and customs of their place of origin.
The celebration closed with Christmas crafts, with everyone, young and old, enthusiastically taking part in making them.
The lovely celebration was also attended by the Director of the Agia Sofia and P&A Kyriakou Children’s hospitals, Mr Manolis Papasavvas, members of the boards of ELPIDA and ORAMA ELPIDAS, and staff members of the ELPIDA Guest House, Mrs Gina Koffa, Mrs Katerina Kotti and Mrs Kaiti Sioufa.