Support given to cancer charities in Cyprus
From money we raise during Great Spring Breakfast Week we are able to support cancer charities in Cyprus. Open Arms constantly receives help from the ex-patriot community, particularly when it comes to fundraising. Although we are unable to offer medical advice or treatment, we do what we can to give emotional support, plus advice on where treatment and support groups can be found in the Republic.
These charities are also voluntary organisations and always in need of funds. For the past six years, as a mark of appreciation for their work with all nationalities in Cyprus and for the times we call upon them for help and advice for ‘Open Arms’ patients, we have included them when advertising the Breakfast Challenge Week and shared with them a portion of the money raised.
2009
A Time to Say Thank you
On Tuesday 13th October, Mrs Fiona Gordon, President of the Support Group hosted a lunch at Flagstaff House to say a big thank you on behalf of the Group to all this year’s Breakfast Organisers and to welcome representatives from the three local beneficiary charities.
Mrs Gordon thanked everyone involved for giving so much time and energy to these events, which proved to be hugely successful. Special thanks were also given to Kathy Seastron, representing Sodexho for providing all the food and drink supplies for the events, giving the fund an extra boost! Mrs Gordon presented cheques to the value of €2200 to each of the local beneficiaries – The Royal British Legion, The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (P.A.S.Y.K.A.F.) and ELPIDA Foundation for Children with Cancer, all of whom were very appreciative of the donation.
2007
Committee members with representatives from the three local charities to benefit from money raised during Breakfast Week, 2007. These are: ‘Elpida’ ‘The Marguerite Cancer Patients Support Team.’ and ‘The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends.’
2006
In the first donation to a local cancer charity from money raised during this year’s Breakfast Challenge Week, we were able to donate £500 to the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PA.SY.KA.F) to help them to fund a training course on the treatment of lymphoedema, which can be a distressing side effect of some forms of cancer This is a follow up to a course given in 2003.
Dolores Constantinides (R) organizer of the course with the trainer and trainees.
BRA CAMPAIGN 2005-2006
In the late summer of 2005 we were asked by the Cancer Patients Support Group Paphos to support them in their efforts to raise awareness of cancer, especially breast cancer, in the Cyprus Republic. To give an impetus to the campaign the organizing committee decided to attempt to beat the world record of the longest bra chain ever and thereby enter the Guinness Book of World Records, currently held by Singapore.
Since our charity is aware of the need to raise cancer awareness in Cyprus, we backed the scheme wholeheartedly and joined people, not only from the Republic, but from all over the world in an extremely successful campaign which culminated on the 30th April 2006 on the Harbour Front in Paphos.
Not only was the world record beaten but was passed by several thousand – the total reaching an amazing 114, 782 bras which reached 111kms! Just as importantly, the sum of over C£ 15000. was reached which has enabled the organizers to set up a call centre and database and begin their work in raising awareness of other types of cancer.
Linking up the bras on the Harbour front at Paphos |
Collection point at Episkopi HIVE |