EVENTS for this year’s Telethon were announced at a news conference in Nicosia this week.
Organised for the first time in Cyprus in 1994, the Telethon has taken place every year since and is organised by the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) and the Cyprus Muscular Dystrophy Association (CMDA).
Its main aims are to provide financial support to the CMDA and to finance research programmes of the CING including the upgrading of necessary equipment. It also aims to inform the public about CING’s achievements and its contribution to healthcare in Cyprus.
This year’s Telethon, which officially began back in January, is made up of a wide range of events. The public’s response since 1994 has managed to raise a substantial sum of money, and has enabled the successful contribution of its valuable charitable work.
There are hopes to raise £120,000 this year.
According to a press release issued this week, “it is a feast of joy, giving and support. Each year, hundreds of volunteers join us and enthusiastically help to organise various educational and recreational events, sending a message of hope to those who are in so much need of our support and encouragement. They send a message that can accomplish what cannot be accomplished with medicines; a message of support and recognition that we are all human beings and have the right to hope, the right to life.”
The concept of telethons is an international, charitable institution that began in the USA and quickly spread to Europe. It has mobilised the efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers and has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world. Its main aim is to support patients, but also to discover, through research, the most suitable and effective treatment of neuromuscular, genetic and other diseases.
In Cyprus, its media sponsor is the CyBC.
The CING was established in 1990 and is a non-government, bi-communal, profit-making organisation. It is a specialised scientific institution that combines research and medical care. The Institute has three basic aims: medical services, research and education.
The Events
Beginning May 1, the telephone competition of Flexi Group.
Friday, May 26, “Walking for Muscular Dystrophy” from the Junior Grammar School.
Saturday, May 27, sale of juice and cookies at Eleftheria Square by the Junior Grammar School.
Test drives of an electric car in Limassol at the Enaerios Parking from 4-8pm.
Sunday, May 28, test drives of an electric car in Larnaca at Phinikoudes Square from 4-8pm.
Tuesday, June 1, “Walking for Muscular Dystrophy” from the Rainbow Nursery School.
Friday, June 2, “Walking for Muscular Dystrophy” from the Highgate Nursery School.
Saturday, June 3, test drives of the electric car in Nicosia at Eleftheria Square from 10am-2pm.
Monday and Tuesday, June 5 & 6, street collection in all towns.
Tuesday June 6, Telemarathon at CyBC from 9pm-midnight.
Friday June 30, dinner at the house of the former president of the Republic of Cyprus, George Vassiliou at Governor’s Beach.
Friday September 24, karting race at the ’Daytona Karting piste’ in Dhali.
October, Futsal (date to be announced).
Saturday December 16, Christmas party for children at the Hilton Park with Doros Kyriakides. Includes a children’s theatre.
