Minister of Health Michael Damianou officially launched the Pancyprian Fundraising Campaign of the Cyprus Red Cross (CRC), which this year is once again being held with the support of OPAP Cyprus and will run until May 25, 2025. The official ceremony took place at the premises of the Red Cross on May 8, 2025, as part of events marking World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, as well as the 75th anniversary of the Cyprus Red Cross’ operations.

In declaring the campaign open, the Minister of Health congratulated President of the Cyprus Red Cross Fotini Papadopoulou, along with the staff and volunteers, for their invaluable contribution. “The Cyprus Red Cross is a beacon of humanity, solidarity and service, deeply rooted in our collective conscience. Since 1950, and with an even more institutional role from 1967, it has functioned as a vital complementary support to the state in humanitarian matters,” he noted.

Minister Damianou made particular reference to the Stella Soulioti Therapeutic Centre for Children which, he noted, is undergoing upgrades and transformation into a Child Rehabilitation Centre with support from the state and OPAP Cyprus.

CRC President Papadopoulou also highlighted the Therapeutic Centre in Polemidia in her address, announcing its conversion into a modern Rehabilitation Centre for children, from infancy up to the age of 20. “It is an enormous undertaking, made possible through cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the financial support of OPAP Cyprus, to whom I once again extend my heartfelt thanks. The project will cost five million euros,” she stated.

In her 2024 activity report, the President of the Cyprus Red Cross referred to a range of initiatives including enhanced “Love Packages” and Vouchers, the wheelchair and mobility aid grant programme, services to enclaved persons in the occupied areas, psychosocial support, psychological First Aid training and, of course, assistance to migrants.

CRC chief Papadopoulou offered special thanks to OPAP Cyprus for its ongoing and multifaceted support to the Cyprus Red Cross, presenting a special honorary award to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Alexandros Ntavos.

CEO Ntavos expressed his deep respect for the 75 years of valuable service provided by the Red Cross in Cyprus. “Its work has breathed life into difficult times for our country, and continues to provide support to thousands of people both here and abroad,” he remarked.

“For over five decades in Cyprus, OPAP has shared the same human-centred sensitivities as the Red Cross,” he continued.

“We walk alongside you, not only as the principal sponsor of the Pancyprian Fundraising Campaign for a ninth consecutive year, but also as a strong supporter of many of your other social initiatives.” CEO Ntavos made special mention of OPAP’s contribution to the transformation of the Red Cross’ Stella Soulioti Children’s Therapeutic Centre into a Child Rehabilitation Centre, with their financial support amounting to three million euros.

The official launch of the Cyprus Red Cross’ Pancyprian Fundraising Campaign was accompanied by a voluntary blood donation drive, along with performances by acclaimed musical artists Mariam Venizelou and Chrysostomos Fylaktou.