With thousands of citizens in attendance, the 22nd Walk with the Pink Figures of Europa Donna Cyprus took place yesterday, Saturday, October 3, under the auspices of the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, the 22nd Europa Donna Cyprus Pink Figures Walk, sending a powerful message once again this year about prevention, early diagnosis, and quality care for those who have experienced breast and gynecological cancers.

This year’s Walk began at the Old GSP Stadium, with participants heading toward the headquarters of Alpha Bank Cyprus on Spyrou Kyprianou Avenue, which is supporting the event as a Strategic Partner for the second consecutive year.

Holding the iconic Europa Donna symbols, thousands of citizens, including members of the political leadership, marched to honor those who have fought cancer, but also to demand greater efforts in the areas of public awareness, prevention, early diagnosis, and specialized treatment.

READ ALSO: “Stella, we’re walking for you too”: Emotion at the Europa Donna march featuring the pink figures (VIDEO)

The two new measures announced by the President

In his remarks, the President of the Republic announced two new government initiatives to support cancer patients.

The first involves the payment of a monthly allowance to vulnerable patients, initially to those with breast cancer. The allowance will be paid for the duration of treatment and for up to 12 months after its completion.

The second measure involves providing free transportation for patients from remote areas of the Nicosia District to oncology centers, with the aim of addressing practical problems related to access to treatment.

“These are your own suggestions, to which we are, of course, responding,” said Nikos Christodoulides, addressing Europa Donna.

READ ALSO: President of the Republic Announces Two New Initiatives for Cancer Patients; Tribute to Stella Kyriakidou

The President emphasized that the fight against cancer begins with diagnosis and includes the quality and speed of treatment, stressing that access to such care cannot depend on a patient’s place of residence or financial situation.

At the same time, he noted the need for a holistic approach, one that is not limited to treatment but also includes rehabilitation, psychological support, and patients’ return to work and their daily lives.

Focus on the National Cancer Institute

Nikos Christodoulidis also referred to the establishment of the National Cancer Institute, as well as the appointment of its first Board of Directors, expressing his belief that its operation will contribute to the adoption of a comprehensive national approach to cancer.

As he noted, this approach should encompass prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, research, rehabilitation, and post-treatment follow-up.

READ ALSO: One voice, powerful messages: Nicosia dressed in pink, crowds gather for the Europa Donna march (PHOTOS)

The President described Europa Donna as a “partner” and a “fellow traveler” of the State, expressing his conviction that this collaboration will be further strengthened through the operation of the National Cancer Institute.

In closing, he made special mention of Stella Kyriakidou, describing her as “a symbol of this great family, Europa Donna Cyprus.”

“My dear Stella, we honor you and thank you for all you have contributed and continue to contribute,” she said.

“Awareness saves lives; prevention is powerful”

In her own remarks, the Chair of the Board of Directors of Europa Donna Cyprus, Olga Papadimou, spoke from personal experience about her battle with breast cancer, as she was diagnosed at around age 27, when her daughter was just one year old.

“I remember my mind immediately racing to my daughter. To the life I wanted to live. To the moments when I feared I might not make it in time. And yet, today I am here with you; we are all here together,” she said.

As she emphasized, the Walk takes place every year with the aim of reminding us that “awareness saves lives, prevention is powerful, and early diagnosis saves lives.”

At the same time, Europa Donna is making specific demands, including specialized and high-quality care for all, independent accreditation of the Ministry of Health’s population screening program, specialized treatment for gynecological cancers, and uniform national guidelines.

1,365 figures representing new cases and deaths in 2025

The figures held by the participants in the March carried special symbolic meaning again this year, as they correspond to the new cases of breast and gynecological cancers, as well as to the deaths recorded in 2025.

Specifically, 840 pink figures symbolized new cases of breast cancer in women, 6 blue figures represented new cases of breast cancer in men, and 220 turquoise figures represented new cases of gynecological cancer.

At the same time, 299 white figures symbolized the people who lost their lives in 2025.

“Behind every Pink Figure is a real woman”

Alpha Bank Cyprus also actively participated in this year’s march, standing alongside Europa Donna as a Strategic Partner for the second consecutive year.

The Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Alpha Bank Cyprus, Militsa Drakou, stated that the power of the Walk lies in the fact that it transforms a deeply personal issue into a collective responsibility of society.

“Behind every Pink Figure is a real woman, surrounded by people who can offer her knowledge, care, and strength,” she said.

She also noted that the Bank’s participation for the second consecutive year as a Strategic Partner is a continuation of a relationship that, as she said, “we truly believe in,” emphasizing that the participation of Alpha Bank employees in the March is a tangible expression of this support.

The 22nd Walk with the Pink Figures concluded with a powerful message of solidarity, reminding us that the fight against cancer concerns not only patients and their families, but society as a whole.