More information
Description
The overall objective of the project is to improve public health and reduce health inequalities. More specifically, the project aims to enhance the infrastructure of Karaiskakio Foundation through the establishment of state-of-the-art, specialised pediatric cancer diagnostic laboratory that would provide diagnostic support to the pediatric and other cancer patients. It also aims to increase awareness on cancer through the enhancement of social engagement, education and bone marrow donors recruitment.
Main activities shall include:
- establishment of a state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory;
- purchase of laboratory equipment (i.e. pipets, centrifuges, medical refrigerators and medical freezers with temperature monitoring and alarm system, NGS related equipment, a cytospin thin-layer cell preparation system, etc.);
- awareness-raising campaign on cancer;
- introduction of new diagnostic methodology.
Summary of project results
The objective of the project is to improve public health and reduce health inequalities. More specifically, the project aims to enhance the infrastructure of Karaiskakio Foundation through the establishment of state-of-the-art, specialized pediatric cancer diagnostic laboratory that would provide diagnostic support to the pediatric and other cancer patients. It also aimed to increase awareness on cancer through the enhancement of social engagement, education and bone marrow donor recruitment.
Through the project, the Karaiskakio Foundation, developed the infrastructure required for the creation of a state-of-the-art specialized paediatric cancer diagnostic laboratory, thus improving the Foundation''s ability to diagnose, provide prognosis and treatment for many paediatric and other cancers. By the end of the project, the Karaiskakio Foundation successfully implemented the new generation pan-cancer NGS panel where, along with other specialized tests, myeloproliferative disorders for children are researched. All tests that emerged after the introduction of the above platform are used daily in the laboratories of Karaiskakio Foundation for the study of Cancer and Hematological Molecular Characterization, Hereditary Predisposition to Cancer, Vegetative Examination of Syndromes and Chimerism. The Ampilicon-based NGS methodology is applied weekly with approximately 10 families of patients examined per week. In addition, through awareness campaigns, the Foundation has successfully inaugurated the Volunteer Donor Registration Stations in cafeterias and universities. In 2023, with the help of well-known TikTokers and Instagram influencers, a new and creative campaign titled ''Saliose to” was launched to attract young people to become bone marrow donors. The campaign very successful.
Over 20,000 new bone marrow donors were registered during the implementation of the project, more than 740 awareness campaigns were organized in all cities to register new bone marrow donors and more than 210 patients have benefited. The Foundation also organized three annual ceremonies to honour the donors, under the auspices of the President of the Republic of Cyprus. During the events, more than 200 bone marrow donors were honoured. The awareness campaign of the Foundation and the project was supported and enhanced by social media, promoting the work of the Foundation as supported by the donors. T-Shirts and stationery have been printed with the Donors logo and used by recruitment ambassadors. The Foundation has also printed posters and banners with the Donors logo, using them during the awareness and recruitment campaigns.