Cancer survivor cycles to parliament to call for Paphos oncology centre

A Paphos based cyclist and cancer survivor set off on Thursday morning on a cycle ride to Parliament in Nicosia to highlight the urgent need to establish an oncology centre in the coastal town.

Currently, cancer patients mostly have to travel to Nicosia for treatment which on top of coping with their ailments can prove exhausting, he said.

“I am representing all of the cancer patients of Paphos and speaking up for all of us. I know how hard treatment can be and travelling to Nicosia for treatment every day or every week is too tiring. We need a small centre here and I hope we can make this happen,” Petros Stylianou told the Cyprus Mail.

He will address MPs to explain the need to create such a centre.

Stylianou set off from Paphos at around 5am, aiming to reach parliament by about 11. He is cycling alone, accompanied by a friend in a car, Glaukos Glaukou, acting as a support vehicle.

The cyclist is a popular figure and the winner of the 2019 Heart of Gold Cyprus Award for his ongoing fundraising efforts and courage.

Stylianou was diagnosed with stomach cancer around nine years ago and given a 10 per cent chance of survival. He started cycling and has not stopped since, participating in many marathons and cycling tours all over the world raising thousands for charities and individuals.

The cyclists’ goal now is to raise as much money as possible to help create an oncology centre in Paphos.

“I have been told that a small oncology centre will cost around €11 million and Archbishop Chrysostomos is interested to help and has pledged €3 million towards setting it up which is fantastic. I will raise as much as I can,” he said.

Stylianou was hoping to take part in numerous European cycling events to raise funds dung the last year or so, but that was scuppered by the Covid 19 pandemic. However, he plans to continue with these actions later this year or next.

“Every month I am cycling to raise funds for Pasycaf, or other charities or people that need help. I am hoping that the government will help with creating this centre.”