DOCTORS said yesterday the six-year-old leukaemia sufferer at the centre of a massive search for a compatible bone marrow donor would probably need blood transfusions to counter his deteriorating health.
Andreas Vassiliou went for a check-up at Nicosia’s Makarios hospital yesterday, where doctors found advanced blood abnormalities consistent with his condition, raising the likelihood of a blood transfusion.
Meanwhile a series of events is being organised with the aim of bringing more exposure to the cause and raising money for one of the institutions at the forefront of the effort.
Tens of thousands of people have so far given blood samples in the hope of finding a match for young Andreas. The likelihood of finding a compatible donor stands at 35,000 to one.
The boy’s plight has also moved hundreds of Turkish Cypriots to give blood and Turkey to open up its donor records to the Republic.
The Vassiliou family yesterday met with Akel general secretary Demetris Christofias, with the opposition leader congratulating all those who had contributed to the cause.
"I want to congratulate our compatriots, both the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, for their moving contribution in helping the children that are suffering, because besides Andreas there are also others."
Christofias said he hoped this effort would be seen as example of the two communities overcoming their differences to co-operate and hoped this would continue.
Efforts are also being pooled in the search for a donor for a Turkish Cypriot boy suffering from leukaemia, 12-year-old Kemal Saracoglu.
A series of events were announced yesterday to raise money for the Karaiskakio Foundation, which has spearheaded the unprecedented campaign to find a donor.
The President of the Friends of the Karaiskakio Foundation, Christos Andreou, yesterday said the first event would be sponsored events by Cypriot athletes, athletic organisations and the Cyprus Motorcycle Association.
Starting from various points on the island, including Polis, Limassol and Ayia Napa from between 8 and 10am tomorrow, the sponsored runs are mostly set to finish at the Karaiskakio Foundation at 9pm.
Christou said that Greek celebrities, performers and fashion houses would also be coming to Cyprus during April in order to raise money for the Karaiskakio.
Meanwhile, the elite RAF aerobatics team, the Red Arrows yesterday announced that they would be carrying out a personal display for Andreas today.
The event takes place at RAF Akrotiri at 2.30pm and will last half an hour.
