“Geia sas” is the common Greek greeting which celebrates the idea of health being our most valuable possession. Unfortunately, wishing for good health is often not enough. Despite technological advances and medical research, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. Its causes are often related to lifestyle choices and stress related factors. What about children though? Children do not make any choices, they do not stress about promotions or worry about their bank accounts. But because of some twisted flaw of nature they get cancer. They are the victims of a grotesque statistical reality indicating an odd of “1 in 500”.

Greece is a small country, which keeps saying “Geia sas” and fostering millions of people fleeing wars, conflicts, political changes and oppression, without asking for anything in return, even more so during its own financial crisis. The health system in Greece is struggling to cope with increasing demand with reduced budgets due to fiscal constraints. In the midst of this reality, charities which are not in the limelight of events are finding it difficult to remain true to their mission.

Karkinaki is a small Greek NGO with a big heart, created by inspiring people who drew from their personal experiences to highlight and bridge a huge gap in the system. Children with cancer and their parents need additional support to stay strong and make it through treatment.  We feel strongly about having a soft spot for children who are fighting an impossible enemy in a brutal war. We kindly ask for your donations so that we can say a loud “Geia sas” to children with cancer and their parents through Karkinaki.

Being a small organisation (website only in Greek), Karkinaki’s main objective is to cover the communication gap on cancer of children and adolescents by providing parents with guidance and support to cope with their child's problem. Some of Karkinaki’s initiatives and actions are the provision of up to one year psychological support to children and parents, the development of special tools such as apps in order to help the families stay on top of the treatments plans, supply of “survival kits” to children diagnosed with cancer, etc.

The organisation supports the scientific work of the Hematology University Unit of the main hospital for children in Athens, by gathering funds to support innovative therapeutic approaches. Karkinaki is four years old and since 2017 is a member of the European Cancer Patient Coalition (ECPC) and the Pan-European Network for Care of Survivors after Childhood and Adolescent Cancer (PANCARE).

You can contribute your bit to support this cause by making a meaningful donation! The EBRD Community Initiative has agreed in principle to provide matched funding subject to certain conditions being fulfilled. This means that funds raised can potentially be doubled in case they meet or exceed the €3,000 target!