A shocking account of how the NGO at the center of the revelations about the exploitation of sick children allegedly operated has come to light.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy battling leukemia described to ThessPost.gr how her family’s need for financial support was allegedly turned into a means of raising money for the organization.
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The woman explains how she came into contact with the NGO, how photos and personal information about her child were used on social media, and how she was informed that she could receive financial assistance.
READ ALSO: Outrage Over an NGO in Greece: They Held Fundraisers for Children with Serious Illnesses and Stole the Money; Well-Known Figures Among the Donors
It all began a few months ago, when the mother heard about this particular organization from other parents in the hallways of a pediatric clinic. There, families of children with serious health problems struggle daily not only with anxiety about the course of treatment but also with an unbearable financial burden.
How she learned about the nonprofit through the pediatric clinic
The mother’s first contact with the organization came through conversations with other women who were at the hospital with their children. As she describes, at that time she was desperately seeking any help she could find for her son.
“I was at the hospital talking to mothers whose children were sick there. I was struggling terribly and praying—not just for my child. And I heard that the (NGO) helps. So I asked, ‘What is this?’ They told me it’s a page that helps sick children, and I said, ‘How can I help, too? I need help as well—if there’s any way they can help me, too.’”
The posting of photos of the child and financial support
Through other parents, the woman got in touch with the 35-year-old, who is reportedly one of the ringleaders of the ring and has been arrested.
According to the mother’s account, it was explained to her from the outset that photos of the child, as well as information about his age and illness, would be used to publicize his case and would be posted on social media.
“She asked me, ‘Are you okay with us posting photos of the child? Are you ready? Do you know we’re going to feature the child?’ and I said yes. They raised a large sum for me and set up a Flex One card on my cell phone so I could pay bills, shop for the child, buy clothes, food—whatever I needed,” she explains.
As she clarifies, she doesn’t know the total amount that was raised in her child’s name. She herself, however, was given access to a card through which she could cover the family’s basic needs.
Photos of sick children and donations from the public
The mother’s testimony describes a practice that allegedly was part of the NGO’s modus operandi: stories of children with serious illnesses were posted on social media, accompanied by photos and references to their financial need.
In this way, according to the allegations that have come to light, the aim was to raise public awareness, leading people to make financial contributions in the belief that their money would go to the young patients and their families.
However, the investigation is examining the possibility that a large portion of the funds raised may not have ultimately reached the intended recipients, with families receiving only a portion of the total financial assistance.
Following the revelations about the organization’s activities, the mother says she feels betrayed and exposed. As she explains, her family consented to the publication of photos and personal information about the child, with the sole aim of securing help during a particularly difficult period in her life.
Today, the thought that her son’s image and illness may have been exploited for financial gain fills her with deep disappointment.
“I wish no one ever needed that kind of money, or had to deal with that kind of illness. May all children be well. If they’ve done this, it’s a shame. Because we have sick children… and we put our children out there for the world to see. We posted photos, we posted their ages, what illnesses they have. We did this out of necessity. And it’s a shame,” she concludes.
Source: iefimerida.gr
