On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Christodoula's first march, this year the Cyprus Cancer Society and the Bank of Cyprus are organizing a unified Pancyprian march with the slogan "Be There", during which Christodoula's suitcase is symbolically transferred from hand to hand in the form of a relay race to be filled with love, hope and solidarity.
The start was given today, Sunday, April 06, 2025, from the statue of Christodoula, in the Sotiras Municipal District of the Municipality of Ayia Napa, the point where the woman, a symbol of the fight against cancer, breathed her last.
The beginning of the march was declared by the Speaker of the Parliament, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, who in her greeting stated that a female pioneer in whose honor Christodoula's successful march was held for so many years, precisely summarizes the culmination of the great effort that is being made with great success by the Anti-Cancer Society with all these volunteers, medical and paramedical staff, to offer relief to our fellow human beings who need it.
"We are here for another year," he added, "and rest assured that the House of Representatives responds immediately every time we have a bill tabled for the benefit of our fellow citizens, and we will do so once again."
In his greeting, the Mayor of Ayia Napa stated that Christodoula's journey is a journey through the 51 years of slavery, where a woman was pursued while holding a suitcase, took her last breath here in this space and guides us to continue and support these efforts to support our fellow human beings who are suffering from cancer and not only, but also to highlight the work of volunteerism and love.
He added, "We must all support and contribute to such actions with selflessness, love and volunteerism." He then thanked everyone, the Presidents of the Pancyprian and the Local Anti-Cancer Association of Famagusta, the Members of the Associations for the tireless efforts they make, so that we can have these results but at the same time raise awareness among the people because we all know that no one knows when cancer will knock on the door and at what age and we must all be helpers, supporters and companions in such events and efforts for support."
Welcoming the event, the Deputy Mayor of the Municipal District of Sotira, Mr. Antonis Koumis, stated that today marks the 50th anniversary of the first Christodoula March, an institution of volunteerism and social contribution dedicated to supporting the Cyprus Anti-Cancer Association.
"This emblematic institution," he added, "is not just a march, it is a coming together of souls, a dynamic expression of solidarity and strength for people fighting cancer."
"It is our honor," he continued, "to participate in this historic anniversary, which reminds us of the importance of volunteerism, solidarity and respect for human dignity, since the support offered through the Cyprus Cancer Society is invaluable and deserves every admiration."
"Let this year be the last time we walk for Christodoula in a divided Cyprus, and let it be the last time that cancer remains an invincible and incurable disease," Mr. Koumis concluded.
Greetings were also delivered by the President of the Pancyprian Anti-Cancer Association of Cyprus, Mr. Alekos Stamatis, the Larnaca-Famagusta Regional Manager of the Bank of Cyprus, Mr. Michalis Tiniozou, and the President of the Famagusta Anti-Cancer Association, Mr. Adamos Loizou.
The greetings were preceded by a trisagion at the Christodoula monument by His Holiness Metropolitan of Constantia/Famagusta, Mr. Vasilios.
Immediately afterwards, the procession began with Christodoula's granddaughter delivering the suitcase to the Speaker of the Parliament, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, and then Mrs. Dimitriou delivering it to one of the first volunteers - a refugee from Sotira - and from there it continues to be passed down from generation to generation and then to the Mayor Mr. Christos Zannetou, the Deputy Mayor Mr. Antonis Koumis, the President of the Anti-Cancer Association Mr. Adamos Loizou, volunteers, etc.
