The Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends (PASYKAF), held a press conference on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at the Leventis Gallery to present the 33rd awareness and financial support campaign “Together in Life”. With the slogan “It Means a Lot”, the campaign aims to raise funds to ensure the continuation, development and continuous improvement of the services, prevention programmes and research offered by the Association.

Every contribution to PASYKAF translates into relief, care and support. It means support, strength and optimism. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a big difference!

Contributions can be made at the Association’s offices, via SMS to 7060 with the code PASYKAF 5, 3 or 1, as well as online.

For the fourth consecutive year, on Friday, October 11, 2024, an all-day TV Marathon will be held in cooperation with Alpha Cyprus. The fundraiser will be held throughout October, with the goal of raising €550,000 so that the Association can continue to provide free, nationwide, services, prevention and research programs to people with cancer experience and their families.

The President of PASYKAF, Dr Anna Achilleoudi, warmly welcomed the guests. “For four decades, the motto “Together for Life” has guided our actions,” she said. “We stand by our fellow human beings with cancer experience and their loved ones, claiming and offering a better quality of life. This commitment is reflected in the services we offer free of charge, through an extensive network covering every corner of Cyprus, ensuring that our support reaches everywhere.” She thanked all the sponsors of the campaign as well as all the volunteers.

For his part, Executive Director of PASYKAF Nicholas Philippou, noted that: “in addition to the free services offered by the Association, it proudly operates two PASYKAF Palliative Care Centres: the PASYKAF-EDEM in Larnaca province, which has 12 beds, and the PASYKAF-Archangel Michael in Paphos district, with nine beds”.

He continued: “These centres provide inpatient care to people experiencing cancer, offering them support and care. With your valuable support, the Association’s multi-disciplinary team of health professionals in 2023 responded to the needs of 7,968 individuals and their families, holding 39,254 meetings across Cyprus.”

Greetings were given, among others, by Health Minister Michael Damianos, and on behalf of Proud Supporter of the campaign, OPAP Cyprus, CEO Alexandros Davos.

PASYKAF Senior Policy Officer Miranda Chrysostomou, presented PASYKAF’s Corporate Social Responsibility Programme entitled “Health & Wellness at Work. The programme is based on four pillars: Policy and Support Issues for People with Cancer Experience in the Workplace, Implementing Good Practice in the Work Environment, Health and Wellness in the Workplace and Developing Volunteerism.

PASYKAF, as a patients’ Association, makes it a priority to support people who experience cancer in the workplace and declares itself an ally of every small and large company through the Counselling Support Programme. The purpose of the Programme is: a) To support people with cancer experience and enhance their wellbeing in the work environment. b) To provide proper information and guidance to employers, providing recommendations and good practice to support both employees with cancer experience and other staff effectively. c) To raise awareness in the community about the challenges faced by workers with cancer experience. d) To promote amendments to employment legislation by establishing policies at the national level.

As part of the campaign, PASYKAF will hold events in all districts of Cyprus, including theatre performances, concerts, charity dinners, sports days, events dedicated to children and family.

The campaign is being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Fundraising 2014, under Licence No. 18/2024, granted by the Ministry of Interior for the period 1/7/2024 – 31/12/2024. All volunteers participate by carrying an official authorisation for the fundraiser, and all contributions to PASYKAF are deducted from taxable income.

PASYKAF would like to thank the public for their contributions, as well as: Proud Supporter OPAP Cyprus, Supporter Eurobank, Strategic Partner Cyta Business, Official Promotional Supporter Mesimvria, Communication Sponsor Alpha Cyprus, and all other volunteers and partners involved in the campaign “Together in Life”.