A PHILANTHROPIC “demonstration of love” is being organised at the Dali Elementary School this Sunday by the support group for the family of critically ill four-year-old Pavlos Kleovolou.
Pavlos’ parents, Lambros and Yianna Kleovolou, who have three other children, are aiming to raise enough money to send their “little angel” for a year-long stay at Boston’s Children’s Hospital in the USA, where he can receive the specialised life saving treatment he needs, which they refer to as “the only hope for Pavlos’ life”.
Pavlos was born prematurely in 2005, developing intolerance to food which led to vomiting at the age of 2.5 months. The condition worsened and by the age of two he was referred to a hospital in Glasgow where a gastrostomy procedure was performed in the hopes of allowing him to be fed on a liquid diet. However the procedure did not result in any improvement in his condition.
With continuing financial support from the government, Pavlos returned to Glasgow and then to a hospital in London where he remained for almost two years, undergoing multiple treatments and two operations, which saw no improvement in his condition. He next went to a hospital in Israel, where doctors were again unable to help him.
To treat the suspected underlying immune-related problem, Pavlos has undergone immunosuppressive treatment, but side effects have brought with them further problems of osteporosis and infection of the gastrostomy site, which they fear could lead to septicemia.
The conflicting medical reports of involved doctors have prevented any definite diagnosis, and thus effective treatment, to be established and so Pavlos continues to suffer.
The family believes that Pavlos’ only hope is the highly specialised Boston Children’s Hospital, which they have already been in contact with and has accepted to undertake Pavlos’ medical care. The exact cost of the treatment has yet to be established, but is suspected to reach close to €1 million, according to Antonia Hadjistyli, a member of the Kleovolou support group. The government and the family are unable to fund the treatment and the latter have been appealing to the public to help raise funds.
The event this Sunday will be attended by singer Giorgos Papadopoulos and also host performances by bands such as the Drifters, Known Unknowns and singers Tefkros Neocleous and Raimy Sindergard. The cast of the well-known Cypriot television show Vourate Yitoni will also be present, handing out autographs.
There will plenty of fun filled activities for children, including face painting, an inflatable castle and pony rides, as well as a bazaar with food, drinks and games.
The event will take place between 7.30-11.45 p.m and the entrance fee will be €3, with all money collected going towards Pavlos’ transfer to Boston for treatment and therapy. The Dali Elementary School is in the area of Ilioupoli, behind Carlsberg. For more information on Pavlos or details on making donations of any amount towards the Kleovolou family campaign can be found on www.savepavlos.net.
