It is the state’s duty to foster trust in the transplant system, support patients, and promote a culture of solidarity, empathy, and generosity, said the President of the Republic, Nicos Christodoulides, in a pre-recorded message on the occasion of the 25th European Day of Organ, Tissues, and Cells, which Cyprus is hosting in Paphos on October 9. He also called on society to learn more about organ donation and to support it through their decisions and actions.
In his message, President Christodoulides notes that the celebrations for the 25th European Day of Organ, Tissues, and Cells, which will take place this year in Paphos on October 9, are dedicated to organ, tissue, and cell donors and their families, “who choose to give the gift of life to other families through living and postmortem donation.”
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“The gift of these fellow human beings is a selfless and magnificent act that unites strangers in the most meaningful way—through life,” he said.
For many of our fellow human beings, the President said, transplantation “is the only chance to continue their lives, to return home, to experience what they were unable to do because of their illness, to regain a good quality of life, and to be with the people they love once again.” European Organ, Tissue, and Cell Donation Day, therefore, is of great importance, he added.
“It reminds us that behind every transplant there is a human story. Behind every donor is a person or a family who has made a selfless act of giving. Behind every recipient is a person who fought their own battle, suffered, but never gave up hope and ultimately received the most precious gift of all—the gift of life,” he said.
For Cyprus, hosting the European Day celebrations “is a significant recognition,” he said, noting that, at the same time, “it comes with the great responsibility to speak openly, to speak honestly about donation, to properly inform citizens, and to dispel fears and prejudices.” He also said that “it is the duty of the state to foster trust in the transplant system, to support patients and their families, and to promote a culture of solidarity, empathy, and generosity.”
Within this framework, Cyprus has been working closely for many years with the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare, actively participating in European initiatives for the donation and transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells, he said. At the same time, he continued, the Ministry of Health and the Transplant Council, with state support in recent years, have taken substantial steps to strengthen the transplant sector in our country. “As a government, we are well aware of the importance of this mission, and yes, we will continue to strengthen the donation and transplantation systems without ceasing, with safety, transparency, and respect for human dignity, and to ensure equal access for every patient to all available services,” said the President.
“We support healthcare professionals, inform the public, and create the conditions so that every person awaiting a transplant has a second chance at life,” he added. He noted, however, that no policy, no system, and no structure can succeed without the participation of society. “So today I appeal to every citizen of this country—to every young man and woman, to every mother and father, to every family, and to every individual who believes that life is the most precious gift. Let us talk about the gift of life and let us reinforce it through our decisions and actions,” he said.
President Christodoulides expressed the state’s gratitude to all donors and their families. “Their generosity is an example of integrity, strength, and humanity,” he said.
Addressing our fellow citizens who are awaiting a transplant “and who experience daily the difficulties and anxiety of waiting, I would like to convey our unwavering support to them.” “At the same time, we do not forget the transplant recipients who, through their own journeys, remind us that every day of life is a precious gift,” he said.
“We look forward to seeing you all at the Medieval Castle Square in Paphos on October 9 to celebrate this day and send a message of hope throughout Europe that our societycan become part of a chain of life and bring people together, unite families, and bridge generations,” he concluded.
Source: CNA
