It “smelled” like Christmas on Thursday afternoon (13.12.2024) at the Marianna V. Children’s Oncology Unit. Vardinogiannis – Hope”, as well firefighters put out their holiday decorations and distributed gifts to all the children hospitalized at hospital.
Wearing their red helmets and Christmas caps and hanging with ropes from the roof of the Oncology Unit of the hospital, firefighters of the 1st EMAK gave the gifts in a very impressive way, a move that over the years has become a “tradition”.
From early noon, the firefighters attended the unit to start their preparations, while shortly after 18.00, Santa Claus “landed” from the fire brigade’s armored vehicle, giving Christmas presents to the children who had filled the courtyard.
To the sounds of the Fire Brigade’s music band, the “flying” firefighters descended with the ropes from floor to floor, giving gifts to the children who had gathered on the balconies, but also in the forecourt of the unit.
“It is with great pleasure that we are here again this year with the Fire Department and the Special Disaster Response Units, to give some joy, as we should, to these children who are tested at a very tender age, to win in this fight that they are fighting and to support the project of Hope – a project started by the late Marianna Vardinogianni and continues. We hope that everyone is well and that this project continues for society, for our children and for our Greece”, said the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournas, who was present at the Christmas event.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Health, Marios Themistokleous, thanked the Fire Brigade and emphasized that it is “a very nice event for the children, in very difficult times, which managed to bring some joy these days”.
“I wish the children a happy birthday with good health, happy holidays to everyone,” said the deputy minister.
The director of the “Agia Sophia and P&A Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, Emmanuel Papasavvas, thanked the firefighters who “for one more year come to the hospital to give moments of joy and carefree”.
“Let’s learn from the children the lesson of life, because the real heroes are the children who fight every day to face childhood cancer,” said Mr. Papasavvas.
The head of the PS, lieutenant general Theodoros Vayas, after wishing the children and their families a happy birthday, emphasized that for them “it is a special honor and satisfaction that they are here today” while he stressed that they will continue this event in the coming years as well “for as long as they can”.
This impressive Christmas event takes place for the 6th year in a row in the forecourt of the Marianna V. Children’s Oncology Unit. Vardinogiannis – ELPIDA”, on the initiative of the Fire Brigade, with the aim of spreading the message of love, optimism and hope for the new year everywhere.
The event was also attended by Christianna Vardinogianni, president of the board of directors of the association “ELPIDA – Association of Friends of Children with Cancer”.