Speech by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Constantinos Kombos, at the event “From Cyprus to Boston – A Golden Effort” for childhood cancer awareness, yesterday

We are gathered here this evening for two reasons. Two reasons that are inherently interlinked.

On the one hand, to pay tribute to Nicholas and his braveness.

On the other, to help pave further the path of hope. Hope for all affected by childhood cancer.

The main message is that this is not a journey of loneliness and despair. But a struggle of all of us, at the end of which hope can prevail. It is a common, universal effort to shed the light on the path.

This evening, the Old Nicosia Municipality building glows in gold. Gold is the universal colour for childhood cancer awareness, and it shines this evening as a beacon of hope and strength, of compassion and courage. September, the Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, is a reminder of our responsibility. A responsibility to shed light on a course that must never remain in the dark.

We underscore the message that child cancer is not a distant issue. According to the World Health Organisation figures, each year an estimated 400,000 children and non-adults are diagnosed with cancer. In Europe alone, 35,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

But we must never focus exclusively on numbers. Because behind every number, every statistic, there is a name, there is a face, there is a personal story of a child, of a family, of a fight.

Tonight marks a landmark event, one that links two cities and two continents, and one common mission: from Boston USA, to Lefkosia Cyprus. Tonight we celebrate this international collaboration between Boston Children’s Hospital and the Nicholas Zoe Foundation.

It is founded in loving memory of Nicholas Artemiou, who tragically lost his life to Ewing sarcoma in October 2023.

Nicholas’ brave wish was simple but yet so powerful. No other child to suffer as he did. That wish ignited a movement that crossed borders and touched hearts. And here we are all tasked to ensure the realisation of that wish, from his beloved Cyprus to the United States, where he received treatment, and then to countries around the globe.

Nicholas’ legacy lives on through the Foundation’s tireless work. The Foundation has already contributed over $200,000 towards the development of an innovative diagnostic tool at Boston Children’s Hospital. And this has been an achievement with just 18 months. The ultimate goal is to raise half a million to bring this pioneering research closer to clinical trials, and one day to make it available at a global scale, including here, in Cyprus.

This evening, we are called upon to take further actions, not just as donors or dignitaries, but as citizens of the world, as human beings. As individuals, organisations, businesses, governments, we all have a role to play, and also a duty to do so.

The bravery of the children and the resolve of the doctors, the medical staff, these are the pillars of this noble cause.

And then there is the silent strength and resilience of the families. This is a unique characteristic of families who have walked this road before, and who now reach back to guide and help others. Others facing those exact same challenges. The children, the doctors, the medical staff, the families. These are the heroes of our story.

The Nicholas Zoe Foundation, through its collaboration with the Boston Children’s Hospital, have made it their joint mission to commit to less invasive treatments, to provide faster diagnosis, to trigger a global movement to save the lives of the children.

Funding paediatric cancer research is not just a medical imperative; it is a moral responsibility.

And it is one that we all share.

From Boston to Cyprus, we stand together in this Golden Effort.

Let this evening not only be symbolic, but catalytic.

Let is spark action, generosity, determination.

Tonight, we walk down this path for a better future. For advancing medicine. For being partners in this journey. For supporting the bravery of those that are being tested.

And for the loving memory of Nicholas. Thank you.

(AP/NZ/AS)

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