Each year, the Christodoula March stands as a historic symbol of solidarity with those navigating cancer. An event offering social solidarity and moral support, focused on the struggle to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer in our country, with the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and Bank of Cyprus (BOC) inviting members of the island’s society, to “be there”, in the spirit of solidarity and giving.

This year, to mark its fifth decade, the March will take on a special form, becoming a single, nationwide event that will cross Cyprus, in a special and symbolic route.

The March will set off on April 6, 2025 at 11am, starting from Sotira in Famagusta district, the event’s namesake’s place of origin. Starting from the statue of Christodoula, sculpted by Philippos Yiapanis, we “borrow” the suitcase she carries, filling it with hope, strength and care for each and everyone who is going through their own cancer experience. In the form of a relay race, the suitcase will be carried from hand to hand, in towns and villages, uniting all of Cyprus in a path of solidarity. The March will end on April 12, 2025 at 3.30pm at “Arodafnousa”, in Nicosia. There, we will walk together to the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, sending a strong message of love and support.

For the convenience of participants, free transport to Nicosia will be provided on Saturday April 12, 2025, with buses from all cities. For more information, members of the public can call: 77771080.

As in every year, the Christodoula March will be financially supported by the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society over April 1-13, 2025, with fundraisers held in various locations and a roadside fundraiser on Thursday, April 3, 2025. The “Be There” campaign will play on all mass and social media, undertaken for another year by the Bank of Cyprus, as loyal ally to the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society for more than 25 years, supporting its every action dynamically and substantially.

BOC’s ‘Reward Card’ scheme is participating in the campaign again this year; every transaction with businesses participating in the Scheme, will see a Bank of Cyprus donation of €0.05 to the Society, from the date of the roadside fundraiser until the end of the campaign. In addition, the Bank will make donations to the campaign available through QuickPay Care, 1bank’s new service. Donations to the Anti-Cancer Society will be enabled easily and instantly, by users scanning a special QR code with their phone.

At a press conference held to announce the 50th Christodoula March campaign, Dr Charis Pouangare, Deputy CEO and Director of Business Operations, Bank of Cyprus, noted that, since 1998, the year in which the Oncology Centre was established, BOC has stood by the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society and all those living with the disease, while participating in actions to help relieve patients’ suffering. “Our contribution is ongoing and practical, and is also confirmed by our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, which puts health issues, such as the continuous support of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre, high on the agenda,” he noted.

For his part, Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society Board of Directors Chairman Alekos Stamatis, stressed the uniqueness of the 2025 event. “This year, the Christodoula March has a special character and strong symbolism, as the symbolic relay of Christodoula’s suitcase will go across Cyprus, carrying hope, solidarity and support,” he said. “We invite all Cypriots to participate in the Christodoula March and walk with us, sending a strong message against cancer and for human dignity and quality of life.”

Further information:

  • To learn more about the March and donate to the campaign, visit: www.poreiachristodoulas.cy
  • To sign up for the Christodoula March bus (for those in districts outside Nicosia), call: 77771080.

*All actions towards financial support of the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society’s services are being carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Fundraising Law of 2014, and the relevant Fundraising Licence No. 78/2024, issued by the Ministry of Interior for the period 01/01-30/06/2025.