Avraam lives on through others

The family of Elias Avraam, who died from a stroke on Sunday, yesterday expressed happiness that their loved one was able to help four people have a better life.

After registering himself as a donor, Avraam, 52, was able to help four patients in Cyprus by donating his two kidneys and two corneas.

Avraam’s niece Ivi Demetriou told the Cyprus Mail that they understood the significance of being a donor.

“We are very happy that Elias is able to help four other people. Initially we were not very happy with the idea when we told he was an organ donor. We changed our minds after thinking about it carefully and realising it is a very important act that helps so many people and families.
“Elias never really signed up officially as a donor. What happened was that he was watching a television programme with some friends of his who are donors and he mentioned to them to sign him up as well because he thought that it was a good way to help in the event that something ever happens to him.”

Demetriou urged everyone to become a donor, saying that it was a wonderful way to help people.
“The message our family would like to send out is for everyone to become a donor because it is wonderful way to help others have a chance to live.”

Dr George Kyriakides of the Cyprus Transplant Association also told the Cyprus Mail donating organs after death is a priceless way of helping the community.

“It is the most wonderful thing someone could do when he or she dies. Nothing can really come good of somebody dying but by donating organs like the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys you can e help somebody have a better life or even live.

“Everyone in Cyprus should become a donor because in the end we can all give and take to help each other have a better life.”

For more information about wanting to become a donor contact the Cyprus Transplant Association at 22 672323.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.