Grant to the “ELPIDA” Association of Friends of Children with Cancer, in memory of Georgios Rallis.
The “ELPIDA” story began in 1990 out of its members’’ love for children and the realisation that our country lacked the means to treat children who needed bone marrow transplants. This story —a story of love, humanity and social mobilization— has continued all these years with hard work and selfless contribution. The story of “ELPIDA” is one of love for man and child; a promise made by hundreds of people for the present and the future.
“ELPIDA’s” foremost goal was the creation of a model Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMTU). It was followed by the creation of a Guest House for children from outside Athens and their families who need to stay in Athens for the duration of their treatment at the BMTU or the Oncolology Clinics of the “Agia Sophia” and “Aglaia Kyriakou” Children’s Hospitals. The next major goal to be achieved was the creation of the First Oncology Hospital for Children for the treatment of all forms of childhood cancer.