Boy with rare disorder dies in Israeli hospital

Eleven-year-old Lambros Kallenos, who since the age of three weeks had been fighting a rare and complicated type of lymphangiomatosis, lost his battle with the disease on Sunday at Sheba medical centre in Israel, his parents announced in a social media post.

“We are devastated by his loss, but at the same time proud of what he taught us and that he taught us the path of strength and love. A fighter of life who never complained, but always faced the difficult and daily struggles with a smile,” the post read.

Eleven-year-old Lambros lived the majority of his life in hospitals, and his story was well known in Cyprus, Israel and the US.

Lambros was diagnosed as suffering from lymphangiomatosis by doctors at Sheba, a rare condition characterised by a diffuse proliferation of lymphatic vessels, which can affect multiple internal organs and bones.

The health ministry on Monday also expressed its sorrow.

“The ministry expresses its sincere condolences to the family and the loved ones of little Lambros,” it said.

Staff at Sheba hospital remembered Lambros as “a very positive little boy, who strolled through the halls, smiling to everyone around, sending kisses to female doctors and nurses. He didn’t let the long and exhausting fight kill his joy, he loved to play and to do puzzles, and he was adored by everyone who came in contact with him.”

On more than one occasion, Lambros donated his artwork to raise money for supporting people with leukaemia in auctions held at the Karaiskakio Foundation. One of his paintings, called Invisible Angel fetched €10,000.