The Panathinaikos basketball team visited the oncology children’s unit “Elpida” today. Mrs. Marianna Vardinogianni greeted the Greens’delegation, who then proceeded to visit the children in their rooms, presented them with gifts, autographs and mainly hugs, smiles not once refusing to grant a single photograph wish.
Mrs Vardinogianni stressed: “The Panathinaikos basketball team is close to the children year after year. I would like to thank them for this participation, because they truly offer us strength and courage to keep up the struggle. It is immensely important for the children since I can’t think of a better thing than them knowing that everyone surrounding them cares for them and gives them their love and support. Today they have been anticipating the arrival of their idols and are now expecting the players to visit them in every area”.
The Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, stated: “We came here to visit the hospital, where a great effort which was missing from our country is taking place and became a reality through private initiative. We came to give joy, to offer gifts, but on the other hand to receive a lesson on which is life’s real encounter, which are the real issues. We also gain through such situations. We would like to thank the people who greeted us, to offer our thanks to the staff for the gigantic effort it is putting in, in order for these kids to feel better. The unit has everything down to the very last detail in order for these kids to feel right at home. It is a beautiful project and we came here to support it”.
Sofoklis Schortsanitis added: “We are glad to be here, the entire team is glad, because we can offer even the slightest happiness to these children. Conditions are certainly tough, I can only imagine the burden the children carry along with their families and the hard times they are going through, but with our presence here alone I hope that we managed to lift a part of this burden from their shoulders; I think it is the best we can do these days. The entire team is happy to be here and I hope that Panathinaikos continues to be here for years to come, next to the kids who are going through such situations”.
Vassilis Xanthopoulos stressed: “It is somewhat tough to speak, because the images here make words obsolete. We must think that the most important thing is to have our health and nothing more. It is important to give joy to these kids, especially close to the holidays. The unit is amazing and congratulations are in order for the “Elpida” which has produced this entire project. It is important that this unit has been created and I hope that the entire effort continues for years to come”.
Finally, Mike Bramos stated: “All of this makes you appreciate the holidays, your family, life itself. It is great to be able to make these kids and their families smile. We wish them nothing but the very best. The establishment is fantastic, the area is clean and beautiful, well equipped and all this certainly helps the children feel better”.
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