A landmark event uniting Cyprus and the United States in the fight against childhood cancer is set to take place on September 16 at Nicosia Old Town Hall. Under the auspices of President Nikos Christodoulides, this gathering aims to advance the battle against this devastating disease.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Organised by the Nicholas Zoe Foundation (NZF) in collaboration with Boston Children’s Hospital, the event will bring together a diverse group of philanthropists, researchers, and medical pioneers. The theme, ‘A Golden Effort – From Cyprus to Boston’, celebrates Gold September, the global Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
President Christodoulides will address attendees via video message, while Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and Petros Agathangelou, president of the Cyprus Medical Association (CMA), will also deliver opening remarks.
The evening will feature a poignant keynote titled ‘A Mother’s Journey of the Heart’ by Alexia Potamitou, president of the Nicholas Zoe Foundation. Potamitou expressed the foundation’s mission, saying, “The foundation may have been born out of tragedy and loss, but it aspires to help fund new breakthroughs in pediatric sarcoma research. This was Nicholas’ wish, that no child fights the ‘beast,’ as he used to call his cancer. We aim to bring hope to families around the world.”
The foundation was established in memory of Nicholas Artemiou, who tragically passed away at the age of nine on October 23, 2023, after a courageous three-year battle with cancer. His legacy inspires the foundation’s commitment to a world free from childhood cancer.
Dr Mark Fleming, pathologist-in-chief at Boston Children’s Hospital, will present on advancements in cancer care, specifically discussing liquid biopsy, a cutting-edge diagnostic tool that uses DNA from blood samples to track tumours and tailor treatments. “By providing this information, treatments can be personalised, reducing side effects, and physicians can prescribe new therapies, if needed, to give children the best possible chance at a healthy future,” he stated.
The Nicholas Zoe Foundation has made significant strides, contributing over $200,000 towards research with an ambitious goal of raising $500,000 to push liquid biopsy technology to the clinical trial stage. Dr Fleming acknowledged the vital role of philanthropic support, saying, “Cancer touches us all. The foundation has been a generous philanthropic partner, enabling our team to accelerate this life-changing test and bring hope to families worldwide.”
Further insights will be shared by Julia Burke, director of international development at Boston Children’s Hospital, who will highlight the institution’s global impact. Boston Children’s treats patients from more than 100 countries and collaborates with over 300 international outreach programmes.
The evening will also feature a silent art auction, curated by art advisor Maria Paphiti, showcasing works by prominent Cypriot artists. Proceeds from the auction will directly support the foundation’s mission.
Founded in memory of Nicholas Artemiou, the Nicholas Zoe Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of children with cancer through advocacy, education, and funding for innovative research. Its focus includes developing advanced treatment options for Ewing sarcoma and diagnostic tools for earlier detection.
Boston Children’s Hospital Trust works to promote philanthropic investment in support of the hospital’s broader mission, including patient care, research, education, and community service. By fostering long-term partnerships with individuals, foundations, and corporations, Boston Children’s continues to provide life-saving treatments to children across the globe.
This international collaboration between Cyprus and the United States is framed as a golden effort, driven by innovation, compassion, and a steadfast belief in a brighter future for children battling cancer.
