The Cyprus Cancer Research Institute (CCRI) is a jewel for our country, said the EU Health Commissioner, Stella Kyriakides, who visited the site where the institution’s building is being erected, at the University of Cyprus, on Friday. Kyriakides was given a tour of the newly constructed facilities by the President of the institution, Professor of Physics at the University of Cyprus, Constantinos Christofides.
Initially, the EU Health Commissioner said that the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute is “a centre of excellence and a jewel for our country, which was able to move forward after the large donation by the George and Kaity David Foundation.” She further added that the Institute is a collaboration between the University of Cyprus, the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and the Karaiskakio Foundation.
Kyriakides noted that cancer research is one of the central pillars of the European cancer strategy. “Perhaps what we do not realise is the importance of research in the treatment of cancer, how research can very quickly reach a result for the patient, both for prevention and treatment,” she pointed out. “The fact that we have this Institute in Cyprus is very important for the European strategy we are developing”, she emphasised.
Replying to a question about the progress of cancer research in Cyprus, the EU Health Commissioner said that she has been informed of a number of researches, adding that there are many others that are pioneering and directly related to patients, their treatment and their quality of life.
In addition, Kyriakides stated that “we should feel very proud of the research being done at the University of Cyprus, the Karaiskakio Foundation and the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre”. She also noted that “the Cyprus Cancer Research Institute together with the other institutions will give us a new strength in the field of cancer research more broadly in Europe, not only in Cyprus”. Finally, she expressed her gratitude to George and Kaity David, thanks to whom the building of the institution, which will be named Nicola David Pinedo in memory of their daughter, is being erected.
Source: Cyprus News Agency