• We decided to act quickly and help thirteen families with children with special needs in the Midlands and other individuals who lost their jobs. If you know anyone who needs help or just a kind word please don’t hesitate to ask!

• We supported our amyloidosis patient and his father at the ‘Nest’ who both had the virus. We took two more patients in August as the Ministry of Health in Cyprus made the life-saving decision to send them for urgent treatment. We helped other patients by covering hotel accommodation.

• We introduced strict hygiene regulations and provided essential sterilizing equipment. We decided to cover the cost of private transport from airports and to and from hospitals during this period.

 

• Become a SUSTAINING MEMBER. Could you please spare £10 a month by standing order to your bank or a annual cheque/transfer of £120. Details on www.alkionides.org

• Join our GET MOVING CAMPAIGN! Walk/ dance/cycle, send us a photo (e-mail: enquiries@alkionides.org) for a collage and donate on our website.

• Watch Katie Economidou in concert on You Tube and donate.

• Call us or e-mail for a chance to win £3,000 by buying GRAND RAFFLE tickets (draw 21st October 2021). The perfect Christmas gift!

In every newsletter you will have the opportunity to know more about how we changed one of our patients’ life over the years. Today we start below with Christina's story.

 

One of the many families we remember with love and admiration was that of 18-year-old Christina. Christina (not her real name) was sent by the Government of Cyprus to the University College Hospital (UCH) in London, where she underwent a life-saving but gruelling bone marrow transplant.

We were able to accommodate Christina’s parents at the ‘Nest’; her mother, as well as finding the inner strength and determination to care for her daughter, also managed to bring cheer to other suffering patients at the ‘Nest’. Also, she always greeted us with a welcoming smile, but occasionally with a small sob when things were uncertain.

When Christina’s doctor, Dr Kottarides from Kalamata, heard about the family’s warm experiences at the ‘Nest’, he was curious and expressed a desire to visit. Christina’s mother and fellow housemates prepared an amazing tea party with a spread fit for royalty and the doctor was duly impressed.

Our dedicated volunteers visited Christina regularly at the hospital and later at the ‘Nest’. They shared stories from the homeland and special recipes to help alleviate the pain.
We were so taken by Christina’s lovely smile and her bravery throughout the agonising treatment. Her father, mother and brother, who was studying at university, took it in turns to sleep next to Christina’s bed at the hospital, and the family’s strong love and support for each other helped them to get through the hardest times.

After several months, when the treatment had been completed successfully, the family returned to Limassol, but they did not forget Alkionides UK. They held a big party at home collecting money to send to the ‘Nest’, which had sheltered them and introduced them to new friends during this challenging experience. Christina could now focus on training for her passion, to become a hairdresser. She could move forward and enjoy life.

 

We were so happy to have been able to help such a lovely girl and her loving family.

Major Sponsors: A.G. Leventis Foundation, Capital Group, Sir Reo Stakis Foundation, Eleousa Heart Foundation, Christos Lazari Foundation, Keith Coombs Trust.