Award presented to PAMEMMAZI by the Center for Support, Training and Research in Psycho-social Oncology

It was with great honor and joy that on Friday, 17 May 2019, our work was recognized by the Center for Support, Training and Research in Psycho-social Oncology of the Hellenic Cancer Society. This award was bestowed upon PAMEMMAZI for its contribution in showcasing art as a means to support cancer patients. The award was presented by Dr Evi Alexopoulou – Vrahnou, Anesthesiologist in charge of the Pain Management Unit at the General Oncology Hospital of Athens “Aghios Savvas” and Evanthia Georgiadi, Deputy Director and Vice President of the BoD of the General Oncology Hospital of Athens “Aghios Savvas”.

“My wish is for the programs available at Aghioi Anargyroi hospital to be offered at our hospital too. The Director and Deputy Director of the Aghios Savvas hospital are on our side and I am confident that during next year’s event, Aghios Savvas hospital will be included in PAMEMMAZI’s video” said Dr Evi Alexopoulou – Vrahnou referring to the short video that we prepared for the award ceremony. Dr Alexopoulou – Vrahnou added “[…] the award is owed to Emma who transformed her difficult journey into a celebration of life”. Ms Evantia Georgiadi looks forward to “a harmonious cooperation” with PAMEMMAZI given that there is always an existing need for psycho-social support and room for everyone to offer support.

Dr Ioannis Ntinos, Clinical Psychologist at the General Oncology Hospital of Athens “Aghios Savvas” and Scientific Coordinator of the Center for Support, Training and Research in Psycho-social Oncology of the Hellenic Cancer Society, introduced PAMEMMAZI with the following heartening and moving words: “Emma managed to connect her illness and her death with life. Her words and her dream are already being realized through the work of those who carry on her legacy – her family, friends and all those who she convinced that cancer can be linked to life. PAMEMMAZI has done extremely important work on many levels. Today, we present this award to PAMEMMAZI because it uses art as a means to support patients, but also because it has accomplished many more in relation to activism against the stigmatization of cancer and participation of the scientific community in psycho-social oncology, which makes us – the scientific community – jealous of their forums”.

Ms Eleni Tzavaras, Co-founder at PAMEMMAZI, received the award which she then dedicated to all volunteers who offer psycho-social support programs at the Aghioi Anargyroi hospital daily. To express her gratitude for the great work that our volunteers do, Ms Tzavaras highlighted that “Without our volunteers nothing would be possible”.

Warm thanks to the Center for Support, Training and Research in Psycho-social Oncology, the Hellenic Cancer Society and General Oncology Hospital of Athens “Aghios Savvas» for honoring us and recognizing our accomplishments. With shared vision and values, we are ready to join forces with them to promote psycho-social oncology.

We also wish to congratulate the organizers for this excellent event as well as the rest of the award recipients – artists and groups. Special congratulations go to the creators of the worth watching documentary entitled “Boobs”, Liopi Ampatzi, Agnes Sklavou and Stelios Tatakis.