PRESS RELEASE

Our Association's May events, organized in connection with May 19th, World IBD Day, aimed at raising awareness and educating both patients and the wider community, were a tremendous success.

On May 19th, a group of more than thirty cyclists from the Nicosia Cyclists Club, APOEL Sports Club, and other volunteers covered the distance from Nicosia General Hospital to Nicosia Town Hall, where after a short ceremony the building was illuminated in purple. On the same day, important buildings in 38 countries across 5 continents were also lit up in purple.

On May 20th, a patient conference was held in Nicosia and attended by more than 100 people. MP Mr. Charalambos Theopemptou shared his personal experience with the disease. We sincerely thank Mr. Theopemptou, whom we had simply invited to address the conference, for spontaneously sharing his own experience with Ulcerative Colitis. His gesture was extremely important, as it strengthens patients' confidence, especially that of younger individuals, by demonstrating that it is possible to achieve your dreams as long as you properly manage your condition and do not allow it to control your life.

Participants also had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Greek physician Dr. I. Triantafyllidis on his book entitled “Alternative Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease – The Therapeutic Role of Proper Nutrition, Herbs and Herbal Preparations,” which serves as a complementary approach to patients’ medical treatment. The value of the presentation was evident from the many interesting questions that followed.

Finally, patients and friends had the opportunity, with the assistance of psychologist/psychotherapist Ms. Elena Athanasiou, to get to know each other better and receive support in dealing positively with life's challenges, including health, personal, professional and other issues.

We continue our efforts to inform patients and the wider community on Friday, June 30th, in Larnaca at 7:00 p.m. at the Larnaca Municipal Arts and Literature Centre. Speakers will include Dr. G. Mantzaris from Greece, Dr. D. Kalli from Larnaca General Hospital, and psychologist/psychotherapist Ms. Elena Athanasiou.

Cyprus Crohn's & Colitis Association (CYCCA)

Scientific Conference for Patients and Friends in Nicosia

Cycling Event and Purple Illumination of Nicosia Town Hall