AHEPA E-News Volume 16, Issue 8 | Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Appeal for Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their country from a brutal, devastating, and unprovoked invasion by Russia. We hail the Ukrainians’ defense of democracy and freedom. The humanitarian ruin and loss of life will be catastrophic. Europe will soon face its “largest refugee crisis this century,” according to the UN Refugee Agency. The agency warned that, as of March 1, about 660,000 refugees have fled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the last six days, with more than 150,000 leaving in the last 24 hours. We are proud of the Greek government and the people of Greece for the ways in which they are helping Ukrainian refugees and for securing the evacuation of Greek and Cypriot nationals from Ukraine. We mourn all loss of life and convey our sincere condolences to the Greek government and the people of Greece for the loss of life of ethnic Greeks as a result of Russia’s senseless and unjustified invasion. The Order of AHEPA stands in solidary with Ukrainian refugees and families. The AHEPA Emergency Relief Fund is open to receive donations for humanitarian aid to assist the people affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. read our full appeal Call for Applications | AHEPA Journey to Greece During our 100th Anniversary, we are proud to offer emerging leaders the exciting opportunity to participate on our premier educational program, Journey to Greece. Established in 1968, the Journey to Greece program provides an opportunity for our youth to visit Greece and earn six college credits in the process. This year, we are proud to work with Webster University in Athens for a 17th year.  The 2022 Journey dates are July 5 to 30. Learn More Apply Today! Supreme President Concludes Visitation to Greece Chapters Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas concluded his visitation to AHEPA chapters in Greece with a visit to Ioannis Trantas Chapter HJ-15, Kozani, Greece. Supreme President Kokotas visited the Municipal Library of Kozani where the mayor of Kozani, Lazaros Maloutas, welcomed him. He also visited the Church of Agios Nikolaos and the Folklore Museum. Supreme Governor Region 10 Yannis Mitropoulos and Hellas District 25 Governor Kostas Varsamis accompanied the supreme president. view more Sons & Maids Host Successful Volleyball Tournament The Sons of Pericles Supreme Lodge and Maids of Athena Grand Lodge co-hosted the Greeks in Miami Beach Volleyball tournament last weekend in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Proceeds from the tournament benefitted the SOP and MOA National Project, the Ronald McDonald House Greek Division. Congratulations to the first place team from Miami and the second place finishers from Ft. Lauderdale.  Sons and Maids representing chapters along the East Coast and from eastern Canada participated. New! Supreme Convention Pre-Registration Form Released The 2022 Supreme Convention pre-registration form is available from AHEPA Global Headquarters. Please note that in order to register as a Delegate or Alternate, your chapter must report you as one. If you have not been reported as a Delegate or Alternate, you will be charged the guest price, so please coordinate with your chapters early. Download Registration Form Learn More Download Agenda Last Call! Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament There's only a few days left to book for the 2022 Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament! This year's tournament will be hosted at the fabulous Westin Mission Hills Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, California, April 5 to 9. This amazing resort has incredible amenities for the entire family, a Pete Dye and Gary Player signature course, with stunning views. It has been a while since we’ve been to California, so don’t miss out on this event! Book by March 5, 2022. Informational Flyer Payment Form Call for Applications: Scholar-Athlete Scholarships, Athletic Hall of Fame Honors Annually, AHEPA presents scholarships and awards to outstanding athletes, scholar-athletes, and former athletes at the AHEPA Family Supreme Convention. Don't miss this opportunity! Do you know of a standout athlete who excels in their individual sport(s) or who displays excellence in the classroom and volunteerism? Or a former athlete or sports industry leader worthy to join the ranks of 150-plus members of the AHEPA Hellenic Athletic Hall of Fame that includes the likes of Harry Agganis, Alex Karras, Pete Sampras, and other greats?  Deadline: March 15, 2022 Hall of Fame Application Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Application 2022 National Scholarship Application Open The AHEPA Educational Foundation has made the 2022 National AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Application available on the AHEPA website. Please visit the link to learn about eligibility criteria for the scholarship as well as the scholarships available this year. The deadline to submit an application for the 2022 AHEPA Educational Foundation Scholarship is March 31, 2022. Apply Today Upcoming Events & Deadlines March 5 | AHEPA Region 6 100 Year Celebration hosted by District 13, Des Plaines, Illinois 5 | Deadline: Register for the Monthe Kofos Memorial Golf Tournament 15 | Deadline: AHEPA Athletic Hall of Fame, Scholar-Athlete Scholarship applications 20 | Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade 21 | Man of God nationwide release 25 | Greek Independence Day 31 | Deadline: National Educational Foundation Scholarship application Greek American News Digest  Editor's Note: Editorials, commentaries, opinion pieces, and articles are shared for information purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy positions of the Order of AHEPA, its affiliated organizations, and members  Mitsotakis Again Rips into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, Backs Sanctions The National Herald (March 1) Throwing diplomacy to the wind, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis leveled another blast at Russia for the ongoing invasion of Ukraine and said Greece will welcome Ukrainian refugees. read more Mitsotakis calls Zelensky, reiterates support for ‘tough sanctions’ against Russia Ekathimerini (Feb. 26) Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his “full support and solidarity” to Ukraine and its people in a call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday and reiterated Greece’s support for “tough sanctions” against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. read more Greece sending military, civilian aid to Ukraine (Ekathimerini) 50 Greek and Cypriot nationals transferred to Greece via Bucharest (ANA-MPA) President of Ukraine expressed his gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch for the manifestations of support Orthodox Times (Feb. 28)  On Sunday evening, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, communicated by telephone with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and described the prevailing situation in his country after the military invasion by the Russian Federation. read more Stolen antiquities taken from billionaire's collection repatriated to Greece ABC News (Feb. 23) Dozens of stolen antiquities, including "The Kouros," a sculpture valued at $14 million, were repatriated to Greece in a ceremony at the New York District Attorney's office in Manhattan on Wednesday. read more I lost my underwear on the trail of Odysseus in Ithaca, Greece The Guardian (March 1) Research for a new guide book meant climbing a rock face on the Greek island crucial in Homer’s story, then crawling through spiky undergrowth. An epic in itself. read more Greece’s river to the ‘underworld’ now lures adventure travelers National Geographic (Feb. 22) Acheron, the mythical waterway to Hades, is popular for birdwatching, river trekking, and zip lining. Is it sustainable? read more Now Available! Celebrating 100 Years of Brotherhood

AHEPA | 1909 Q Street, NW Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009

IOCC,update

Please continue praying for everyone affected by the crisis in Ukraine, and for the teams who are serving them on the ground.

Partners in Response

With long-standing relationships in the region, including in Romania and Moldova, IOCC has mobilized to serve people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

As refugees flee Ukraine—mostly elderly persons, people with disabilities, and women with infants and young children—and enter neighboring countries, IOCC is working with local partners to make sure their needs are met.

While word on the ground in Romania and Moldova is that even the most basic items—like food, water, and milk products—are in short supply in shops, IOCC and its partners there are purchasing items in bulk and distributing them to people in need.

You can support our work today, and together we can help Ukrainians who have fled receive necessities.






Your Love in Action


Even as Christ faced his own death, he called His followers to serve Him by helping others: “I was hungry and you gave Me food. I was thirsty and you gave Me drink” (Matt. 25:35). Dedicated supporters like you have answered this call, and we see your faith in action every day through the work you’ve made possible.

As a small token of thanks, we’d like to offer you some resources to support you in your Lenten journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Each week between now and Pascha, we'll be sharing stories of how you've reached someone in need through IOCC, with fast-friendly recipes to accompany your faith in action. And each Friday, we’ll share a spiritual reflection from this year’s Lenten collection.

You can find these resources and more at iocc.org/lent, with everything you need for a fruitful and peaceful Lent. Thank you for supporting IOCC and continuing to serve Christ through serving others.




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COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION update

Meetings Wednesday 2 March 2022

● Council of the EU   02/03/2022 22:51 | MEETING | Main results - Informal video conference of agriculture ministers, 2 March 2022   EU agriculture ministers discussed the market situation for agri-food products in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Council of the EU Informal video conference of agriculture ministers, 2 March 2022 Main results Agriculture ministers held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference to discuss the risk of significant pressures facing the agriculture and agri-food sectors in the wake of the Ukraine invasion. The aim of the meeting was to share initial information and forecasts on supply and prices, identify issues requiring particular vigilance, and consider measures that could be taken both internally and in terms of international cooperation. The terrible events taking place in Ukraine cast a tragic light on the need for us to strengthen our food sovereignty so as to ensure food security in times of crisis, both within the European Union and around the world.Julien Denormandie, French Minister for Agriculture and Food Ministers began by expressing their unanimous solidarity with Ukraine and calling for the necessary food and humanitarian aid to be mobilised. They then discussed the potentially significant impact of the current crisis on the market situation for agricultural products, as well as on access to agricultural raw materials and inputs. Following the meeting and the statements by ministers, the EU commissioner for agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, expressed his intention to: activate crisis monitoring tools, in particular the European food security crisis preparedness and response mechanism set up by the Commission, and the high-level working group on the pigmeat sector announced at the Council meeting on 21 February; consider introducing exceptional measures under the Common Market Organisation (CMO) regulation aimed at the sectors most affected by the rise in input costs; consider adopting measures aimed at securing and freeing up Europe’s production capacity in 2022, such as using fallow land for protein crops. These measures will be discussed by the Special Committee on Agriculture as well as at the next Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 21 March. A number of member states also called for a more long-term strategy and set of tools to be put in place as soon as possible with a view to improving the EU’s resilience and food sovereignty, and for food sovereignty to be incorporated into the EU’s agricultural policy. Attention was also given to food security in the Mediterranean and in more vulnerable countries. In this regard, ministers stressed the importance of mobilising all relevant international fora, including the OECD, the G20, the G7 and the FAO, to analyse the issue and to consider short- and medium-term responses. Ministers observed in particular that the next meeting of the AMIS Rapid Reaction Forum, a market observatory set up by the G20 in 2011, would provide a state of play of the situation. Meeting information Meeting n°VTC-AGRI-020322 Video conference 2 March 2022 15:30 Outcome documents List of participants

 

Meetings Wednesday 2 March 2022

● Council of the EU   02/03/2022 23:35 | MEETING | Main results - Informal video conference of economy and finance ministers, 2 March 2022   EU economy and finance ministers met via video conference to discuss the economic and financial consequences of the situation in Ukraine, following Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion.

Council of the EU
Informal video conference of economy and finance ministers, 2 March 2022

Main results

EU economy and finance ministers met via video conference to discuss the economic and financial consequences of the situation in Ukraine, following Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military invasion. In response to this aggression, the EU imposed a series of restrictive measures. In addition to sanctions on Russian individuals and entities, the EU also agreed to impose economic sanctions as well as restrictions on economic cooperation with Russia.

EU economy and finance ministers discussed the current state of play of implementation of the sanctions, as well as the consequences of those sanctions on European economies.

The Commission presented its preliminary analysis of the impact of the measures on Russia in terms of financial markets, currency, its central bank and its commercial banking system. Ministers agreed to coordinate national measures, as was done during the covid crisis, to protect Europeans and European companies, in the context of higher energy prices.

Member states agreed to further investigate actions to avoid any circumvention of the sanctions, especially by the use of crypto assets.

Ministers welcomed the European Commission’s communication on the 2023 Fiscal stance and the fact that the General Escape Clause will continue to apply in 2022, which will allow fiscal policy to adjust to the evolving situation. The deactivation of the General Escape Clause will be reassessed on the basis of the Commission 2022 Spring economic forecasts.

Finally, Ministers agreed to increase the financial support to Ukraine and further coordinate with the IMF, EBRD, EIB and other multilateral development banks.



The 27 Member States expressed their total unity and determination in their economic and financial response to the Russian aggression, and in their financial support to Ukraine. The European economic sanctions have already proven to be very effective. They have disorganised the Russian financial system and they have paralysed the Russian Central Bank. We have decided to work on complementary measures, in order to avoid the bypassing of our sanctions. Concerning the protection of our economies, we want close coordination at a European level, as we did during the covid crisis.Bruno Le Maire, French Minister for Economic Affairs, Finance and Recovery
EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine (background information)


Meeting information


Meeting n°VC-ECOFIN-02032022
Video conference
2 March 2022
15:30
Outcome documents
List of participants

Meetings Thursday 3 March 2022   ● Council of the EU   03/03/2022 08:41 | MEETING | Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council, 3-04/03/2022   Background brief - Justice and Home Affairs Council, 3-04/03/2022 Meetings ONGOING Council of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, 3-4 March 2022 Live streaming Live streaming 3 March 2022 TBC Arrivals 09:35 Public session (Home Affairs) 17:05 Public session (Home Affairs) TBC Press conference (Home Affairs) 4 March 2022 TBC Arrivals 10:05 Public session (Justice) TBC Press conference (Justice) Estimated schedule Agenda Highlights Home affairs (Thursday 3 March) Situation in Ukraine EU home affairs ministers will examine the European Commission's proposal to activate the temporary protection scheme for people fleeing the war in Ukraine and seeking refuge in the EU. Since the Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, over 650,000 people have fled to neighbouring EU countries. The temporary protection directive was specifically conceived to give immediate protection to the persons who need it and to avoid overwhelming Member States' asylum systems. Commission proposes temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine (press release, 2 March 2022) Temporary protection directive (EU legislation) Schengen EU home affairs ministers will discuss the situation in and political governance of the Schengen area. Ministers will seek to agree on a general approach regarding the proposed Council regulation on the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism. The Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism ensures an effective, consistent, timely and transparent application of Schengen rules by member states. The proposed revision of the mechanism will help foster common trust in the implementation of the Schengen rules. Schengen: new rules to make the area without internal border controls more resilient (European Commission) Strengthening the EU's external borders (background information) Migration and asylum Home affairs ministers will review the progress achieved on asylum and migration. As part of a more general reform of EU migration and asylum rules, on 23 September 2020 the European Commission proposed a new pact on migration and asylum. The proposal provides for a comprehensive common European framework for migration and asylum management, including several legislative proposals that are currently in discussion at the Council and European Parliament. EU migration policy (background information) EU asylum reform (background information) New pact on migration and asylum (European Commission) Civil protection and climate change Infographic - Climate change costs lives and moneySee full infographic The Council will aim to adopt conclusions on civil protection work in view of climate change. Climate change is causing an intensification of extreme weather events. Through the EU civil protection mechanism, the European Union helps countries respond to floods, forest fires and other climate-related emergencies. In 2020 and 2021, the EU civil protection mechanism was activated 23 times for climate-related events: 10 times for forest fires 7 times for extreme weather or storms 6 times for floods EU civil protection (background information) Justice (Friday 4 March) E-evidence EU justice ministers will assess progress on the e-evidence proposals. Discussions on the proposals are ongoing between the Council and the European Parliament. Electronic evidence, or 'e-evidence', refers to digital data that are used to investigate and prosecute criminal offences. Getting access to e-evidence is not always a straightforward matter for law enforcement authorities because it is often stored in another country. The main goal of the new rules proposed by the Commission is to speed up access to e-evidence regardless of the location of the data. Better access to e-evidence to fight crime (background information) Hate speech and hate crime Ministers will discuss the proposal for a Council decision on hate speech and hate crime. Hate speech and hate crime have seen a sharp rise across Europe and have become particularly worrying phenomena. These are especially serious offenses as they undermine EU common values and fundamental rights. However, there is currently no legal basis at EU level to criminalise them. On 9 December 2021, the European Commission proposed to include hate speech and hate crime in the list of EU crimes in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The proposal aims to harmonise the rules on the definition of and sanctions for these criminal offences at EU level. Commission proposes to extend the list of ‘EU crimes' to hate speech and hate crime (European Commission) Fundamental rights Justice ministers will exchange views on fundamental rights with Michael O'Flaherty, the director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, and will aim to adopt conclusions on combating racism and antisemitism. Protection and promotion of human rights (background information) EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (website) Meeting information Meeting n°3850 Brussels 3 March 2022 09:30 Preparatory documents List of A items, legislative deliberations List of A items, non-legislative activities Provisional agenda Background brief

BATA SHOE MUSEUM,update

March 2022   What's On Weekly   Message from the BSM Dear BSM Community, I hope this message finds you and your families well. With the continued uncertainty in the world, it is my hope that our weekly newsletter can offer you a bit of respite and even enjoyment. The BSM team is grateful to all of you and is working hard to offer programs and activities, at both the museum and online, that can help lift all of our spirits. Please continue to stay safe and we hope to see you soon. Elizabeth Semmelhack Director & Senior Curator Sunday March 20 at 3pm EST Our popular Salon Series returns! Inspired by our exhibition The Great Divide: Footwear in the Age of Enlightenment, please join us for a fascinating conversation with Lauren Stowell, historical costumer, footwear designer and co-founder of American Duchess Historical Footwear. We'll delve into what inspired her to start her reproduction shoe company, how she became interested in historical footwear, what projects are coming up for her and more! RSVP NOW March 14 - March 19, $8/per child (age 4-14), $8/adult accompanying a child March Break Fun at the BSM! Join us for a day of sports with fun activities and crafts throughout the museum. Colour a sneaker keychain, make your own sports themed bookmark, play mini putt and ISPY games, try on sports footwear, leave your footprint in the museum and more! You can also enjoy all four of our exhibitions! Be sure to book your tickets in advance. LEARN MORE Volunteer Opportunity Hey high schoolers! We're looking for volunteers to assist with our March Break week. Whether it's a few hours, a day or the whole week, come earn your volunteer hours with us! Get in touch with yvette@batashoemuseum.ca for more information by March 5, 2022. LEARN MORE We're Hiring! Have you always wanted to work in a museum? We're hiring an Education Assistant! Read more about this great job opportunity on our careers page. Application deadline is March 12, 2022. LEARN MORE Shop Highlight Want to add some dazzle to your keys? How about this chic and stylish keychain.  Choose from a variety of designs or buy them all! Available in-store and online. SHOP NOW

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BSM programming events have been financially assisted by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

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ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΑΝΤΙΚΑΡΚΙΝΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ "ARIADNH PROJECT"

Αθήνα, 2 Μαρτίου 2022


Ο Πρόεδρος της Ελληνικής Αντικαρκινικής Εταιρείας κ. Ευάγγελος Φιλόπουλος στην εισαγωγική ομιλία του τόνισε μεταξύ άλλων και τα εξής:

«Ενώ ο καρκίνος είναι μια ασθένεια που εμφανίζεται συχνότερα στους ηλικιωμένους, δεν αφήνει αλώβητους τους νέους ενήλικες (18-39) ετών. Σ’ αυτή την ηλικιακή ομάδα, εμφανίζεται περίπου το 6% των καρκίνων, ενώ η συχνότητα εμφάνισης του σε σχέση με τους καρκίνους στα παιδιά είναι 6-8πλάσια.

Μέχρι πριν λίγα χρόνια αυτή η ιδιαίτερη ηλικιακή ομάδα δεν ξεχώριζε, καθώς επικρατούσε το δίπολο: παιδικό καρκίνος – καρκίνος ενηλίκων. Όμως οι μελέτες έδειξαν τις ιδιαιτερότητες του καρκίνου στους νέους ενήλικες, ιδιαιτερότητες τόσο στη βιολογική συμπεριφορά των όγκων, όσο και στις σημαντικές ψυχολογικές και κοινωνικές επιπτώσεις που προκαλούνται με την εμφάνιση της νόσου. Εκτός αυτού, δεν υπάρχουν αρκετές μελέτες που να περιλαμβάνουν αποκλειστικά τους νέους ενήλικες.

Ορισμένες κακοήθεις νεοπλασίες όπως ο καρκίνος του θυρεοειδούς, ο καρκίνος του παχέος εντέρου και ο καρκίνος της μήτρας έχουν αυξηθεί τα τελευταία χρόνια, ενώ καρκίνος του μαστού παρέμεινε ως έχει, αποτελώντας βεβαίως τη συχνότερή νεοπλασία που εμφανίζουν οι νέες γυναίκες έως 39 ετών. Αντίθετα, το μελάνωμα δείχνει μια σημαντική τάση μείωσης στη συχνότητα εμφάνισής του.

Παρόλο που είναι ευχάριστη η διαπίστωση, ότι η θνησιμότητα από καρκίνο σ’ αυτές τις ηλικιακές ομάδες έχει μειωθεί σημαντικά, αναγνωρίζουμε προβλήματα στην επιμήκυνση της επιβίωσης, όπως υψηλότερο κίνδυνο μακροπρόθεσμων και καθυστερημένων επιπτώσεων της νόσου, που εκτός των άλλων περιλαμβάνουν προβλήματα γονιμότητας, καρδιακών παθήσεων και εμφάνισης νέων καρκίνων στο μέλλον.

Πέρα από αυτά, σε αυτές τις ηλικίες, όπου ο άνθρωπος αναπτύσσει τη δημιουργική ζωή του, η απρόσκλητη εμφάνιση του καρκίνου προκαλεί μια σειρά από σοβαρά ψυχολογικά προβλήματα, όπως άγχος, θυμός, φόβος κ.α καθώς και διαταραχές στην επαγγελματική και προσωπική ζωή του.

Το ίδιο αρνητικές είναι και οι επιπτώσεις στους οικείους των ασθενών, οι οποίοι δεν έχουν τις απαιτούμενες γνώσεις για να μπορούν να προσφέρουν καλύτερα τις υπηρεσίες τους, υποφέροντας ως εκ τούτου, διπλά.

Το πρόγραμμα «Αριάδνη» προσφέρει ιατρική ενημέρωση, ψυχολογική υποστήριξη, (ατομικές συνεδρίες, άμεση τηλεφωνική συμβουλευτική στο 215-215-1366 και διαδικτυακή) και πληροφορίες για ό,τι αφορά το σύστημα υγείας, τα ασφαλιστικά ταμεία και τις υποστηρικτικές δομές. Επίσης, διαθέτει μια σειρά από εργαστήρια με δραστηριότητες που προάγουν την ευεξία, όπως η δημιουργική γραφή, η μουσική, η γιόγκα, τα μαθήματα πλεξίματός, κεντήματος κ.α

Στόχος του προγράμματος, είναι η δημιουργία ενός ολοκληρωμένου μηχανισμού για την υποστήριξη νέων ενηλίκων και των φροντιστών τους και δυνατότητα δημιουργίας μιας πλατφόρμας επικοινωνίας και έκφρασης των ασθενών και των φροντιστών τους

Από την Τρίτη 8 Μαρτίου, θα είναι δημόσια προσβάσιμος και ο ιστότοπος του προγράμματος : www.ariadniproject.gr

Στη συνέχεια το λόγο παίρνει η κα Εριέττα Κούρκουλου – Λάτση που μεταξύ άλλων αναφέρθηκε :

«Αυτά τα πολύτιμα χρόνια της αυτοεξερεύνησης, της δημιουργίας, της ανεμελιάς και της αυτοεξέλιξης, είναι λένε, τα ομορφότερα χρόνια της ζωής μας.

Αυτός είναι και ο λόγος, που ο καρκίνος στους νέους ενήλικες, είναι ιδιαίτερα επώδυνος και συνήθως οδηγεί σε σειρά επιπτώσεων για την σωματική, αλλά και την ψυχική τους υγεία.

Το πρόγραμμα Αριάδνη, της Ελληνικής Αντικαρκινικής Εταιρίας, που φέρει το όνομα της γενναίας Αριάδνης Γερασιμίδου, αποτελεί την πρώτη στενευμένη προσπάθεια στήριξης ασθενών της συγκεκριμένης ηλικιακής ομάδας.

Στόχος του προγράμματος, είναι η ολιστική υποστήριξη των νέων αυτών, μέσα από την ενημέρωση, την ψυχολογική και κοινωνική συμβουλευτική, αλλά και την διοργάνωση δημιουργικών και αθλητικών ασχολιών.

Δημιουργώντας μια κοινότητα για συνανθρώπους μας που αναγκάστηκαν να διακόψουν την καθημερινότητά τους και σε πολλές περιπτώσεις, να αποκοπούν από τον κύκλο τους λόγω του καρκίνου, ελπίζουμε να τους επιστρέψουμε το χαμόγελο, την ελπίδα, τις φιλοδοξίες και τον ενθουσιασμό που συνήθως χαρακτηρίζει αυτή την περίοδο της ζωής μας.

Σκοπός είναι να σταματήσει να τους ορίζει αυτή η άδικη ασθένεια, και να βρουν την δύναμη να διεκδικήσουν το δικαίωμα στα νιάτα τους, αλλά και στο μέλλον τους, έτσι ακριβώς όπως το είχαν φανταστεί».

Το λόγο παίρνει η κα Βίκυ Λοϊζου η οποία αναφέρθηκε :

«Ο καρκίνος για μένα είναι μια ασθένεια που μου άλλαξε τη ζωή. Δε θα πω ότι ήταν εύκολο. Είμαι όμως εδώ υγιής και δυνατή και μάλιστα πιο δυνατή! Μέχρι να μάθω ότι έχω κι εγώ καρκίνο όταν άκουγα τη λέξη καρκίνος στο μυαλό μου έρχονταν όλοι εκείνοι που έχουν πεθάνει από αυτή την ασθένεια. Συνειδητοποίησα όμως ότι αυτοί που τον έχουν αντιμετωπίσει και είναι εδώ μαζί μας είναι πολύ περισσότεροι. Και αυτό είναι το μήνυμα που θέλω να περάσω. Ο καρκίνος δεν είναι ταμπού. Δεν υπάρχει λόγος να το κρύβουμε ούτε να αναφερόμαστε σε αυτόν ως την επάρατη νόσο ή την παλιαρρώστια.

Το σημαντικό είναι να προσέχουμε τον εαυτό μας, να συνειδητοποιήσουμε ότι μπορούμε να αλλάξουμε τον τρόπο ζωής μας ώστε να έχουμε ψυχική και σωματική υγεία. Να μην διστάσουμε να ζητήσουμε βοήθεια. Η ακόμα και να απομονωθούμε. Σημασία έχει να καταλάβουμε αυτό που χρειαζόμαστε για να είμαστε καλά και να αντιμετωπίσουμε τα προβλήματα αλλά κυρίως να μπορέσουμε να προχωρήσουμε μπροστά και να χαρούμε τη ζωή μας.

Είναι σημαντικό να καταλάβουμε ότι ο καρκίνος -με ότι μας έχει αφήσει (τα παράσημά μας) - πέρασε και μπορούμε να κάνουμε ξανά όνειρα και να τα πραγματοποιήσουμε.

Αυτό ακριβώς είναι το Ariadni project μια προσπάθεια να σταθούμε δίπλα στους νέους που έρχονται αντιμέτωποι με τον καρκίνο ώστε να μην χάσουν την όρεξη για ζωή, για γέλια και χαρές και να τους παρέχουμε τα μέσα που θα βοηθήσουν να το πετύχουμε».

 Αριάδνη Γερασιμίδου

E-mail: dioikisi@cancerhellas.org 

E-mail: dioikisi@cancerhellas.org

210.3826600, 210.6456713