A HOME away from home is the only way Europa Donna Cyprus’ new premises could be described.
Centrally located on 28 Prodromou Street in Engomi, Nicosia the island’s breast cancer forum’s doors are open to everyone.
“We want every woman to feel she is welcome to come here and pour her heart out,” Europa Donna board member Loulla Soteriou told the Cyprus Mail yesterday.
Open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm, in addition to Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to 6pm, Soteriou said the house was a place where women were encouraged to drop in, whatever their fears or questions.
“They could be unhappy with their doctor and want advice where to go for a second opinion. It could be anything, there is always someone here to help them,” she said.
One of the rooms has been set up as a resting room for women undergoing treatment. She said women who came from out of town for all-day treatment at the oncology centre often needed somewhere to rest between sessions.
“They could have had treatment in the morning and instead of waiting around at the oncology centre listening to everyone else’s problems until it’s time for their afternoon treatment, they can come here and relax,” she said.
Soteriou said although it was not a facility for overnight stay, women could come and rest, lie down, have a shower, watch TV, or simply have a coffee and a snack.
“If they want some privacy all they have to do is close the door,” she said.
“This was one of the reasons we moved from our old premises [located in Acropolis] because it was too small to have a room like this.”
Other reasons for the move include the inaccessibility of the forum’s old headquarters, its lack of parking, and the fact that it was on an apartment block’s fifth floor.
“Women just wouldn’t drop by,” said another Europa Donna member. “Now women come all the time.”
The facility also has a second room equipped with products women might need through the course of their treatment such as silicone prostheses, special bras, a few wigs, scarves, and swimsuits.
“Women can meet and become familiar with the products that they will need through their journey after a mastectomy right up until they have breast restructuring… So that women can become familiar with what is on the market for them so that they don’t feel they’re not looking their best, whether it’s regards to their breast or hair,” Soteriou said.
Soteriou added: “Another benefit is the garden. Women don’t have to come here and stay cooped up indoors. Instead they can come and just sit in the garden and empty their thoughts, and of course not feel alone.”
