The idea of establishing an association for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in Cyprus first emerged in 1993, when a group of patients and their families attempted to create such an organization. However, this effort was not completed.
At the end of 2000, the idea was revived during a meeting of some patients and their friends. One year later, on December 10, 2001, the founding general assembly of the Union was held, attended by many patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. During this assembly, a provisional Board of Directors was elected, consisting of eight members – four patients with Crohn’s Disease and four of their immediate relatives. The Board was responsible for registering the Union as a non-profit organization with the Ministry of the Interior and preparing it for the first General Assembly.
On August 2, 2002, the Union was officially registered as a non-profit organization with the Ministry of the Interior under the name “Pan-Cypriot Union for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.”
The objectives of the Union were:
• To provide all kinds of help, support, and care to patients and seek solutions to their problems.
• To strengthen and promote the establishment and operation of centres for patient care and the protection of those suffering from related diseases.
• To inform and raise public awareness about the problems of people suffering from these diseases.
• To organize seminars, conferences, discussions, and other related activities that promote research, progress, and improvement in medical care for these patients.
• To collaborate with the relevant services of the Cypriot state and community, as well as with the relevant services and other related organizations abroad.
The first Pan-Cypriot General Assembly was held on March 1, 2003, during which the first official Board of Directors was elected.
Union Activities in 2001
From the early days of the establishment of the provisional Board of Directors in 2001, significant efforts were made in three key areas:
- To make the Union known and reach as many patients as possible, as well as to inform the public about the establishment of the Union.
- To communicate with the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology and seek their support.
- To communicate with the Ministry of Health to discuss the problems faced by patients.
From January 2002, the Union proceeded with the following activities:
• The Union’s Board of Directors meets regularly (once a month) to discuss various issues and plan activities.
• We helped several patients in various ways, exchanging information about the disease, medication, and patient nutrition. We also helped many patients schedule appointments with doctors in the United Kingdom.
• We met with the Board of the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology and requested their support to address various issues faced by patients. We also asked for their help in registering all patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in Cyprus with the Union.
• We published and distributed a leaflet to inform the public about the Union, which also included a section on membership registration. The leaflet was distributed to all gastroenterologists in Cyprus to directly reach the patients.
• We participated in two television interviews, informing the public about the establishment of the Union. In the second interview, we were joined by the President of the Cyprus Society of Gastroenterology. We also participated in a radio interview with the largest radio station in Cyprus.
• We made announcements in both Cypriot and English-language newspapers to inform the public about the Union’s activities.
• On March 1, the first Pan-Cypriot General Assembly was held, during which the new Board of Directors was elected.
Members of the Union at its Establishment
The population of Cyprus at that time was approximately 750,000 people. It is estimated that there were about 700 patients with Crohn’s Disease and 600 with Ulcerative Colitis in Cyprus. At that time, the Union had 165 members, of which 55 were patients with Crohn’s Disease and 48 with Ulcerative Colitis. The remaining members were relatives and friends of the patients. Most of the patients were under 30 years old and came from all areas of the island.
The Union’s History Today
Over the years, the Union was renamed and ultimately became known as the “Cyprus Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Association (CYCCA).”
The Board of Directors of CYCCA is elected every two years. From 2023-2025, the Board consists of the following:
- Honorary President: Stelios Stylianou
- President: Natasha Theodosiou
- Vice President: Elena Stylianou
- Deputy President: Nikolas Christou
- Secretary: Theodosios Theodosiou
- Treasurer: Popi Despoti-Nassou
- Member: Simos Katsouris
- Member: Spyroulla Mavrommati
- Member: Tonya Zartila
- Member: Lenia Theodosiou
The Union has made significant efforts throughout its existence to help patients and its members.
After a series of initiatives and meetings with the Minister of Labor (Zeta Emilianidou) and officials from her ministry, we succeeded in convincing her of the need to support chronic patients in finding employment. As a result, in 2016, the “Provision of Incentives for the Employment of People with Chronic Diseases Scheme” was launched, a CYCCA initiative in collaboration with OSAK (Federation of Patient Associations of Cyprus). This scheme is still in effect today and has benefited hundreds of patients.
In 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, CYCCA managed to employ a person as a Secretariat Officer for two years through the scheme. This employment greatly benefited the Association, even though the pandemic made certain activities more difficult. Since 2021, CYCCA has employed a person who has taken on the duties of Secretariat Officer and communication with patients and members.
The Union consists of volunteers who dedicate much of their free time to listening to and helping patients, as well as organizing and carrying out events, talks, workshops, programs, and training sessions.
One of the major achievements of the Union was the training of nurses from both the public and private sectors on matters concerning Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, which took place in two phases in 2016-2017.
Additionally, in 2021, after a meeting with the PRM & Customer Care Officer at Hermes Airports Ltd, we succeeded in bringing the sunflower lanyard (used for invisible disabilities) to the airports in Larnaca and Paphos.
Despite all the difficulties faced over the years, the Union has always been there for patients and members, listening to their concerns and worries.
United, We Can!
Members of the Union Today
The population of Cyprus is now approximately 1,000,000 people. It is estimated that there are about 3,100 patients with Crohn’s Disease and 4,200 with Ulcerative Colitis in Cyprus. Today, the Union has 838 members, of which 336 are patients with Crohn’s Disease and 213 with Ulcerative Colitis. Of the 838 members, 255 are active, meaning they have renewed their annual membership. The remaining members are relatives and friends of the patients. The Union’s members come from all areas of the island.
Contacts and Information Office
The Union does not have an office. However, it operates regularly from Monday to Friday, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM at the phone number 70008084.
