A Big Thank You From Cyprus

I don’t know where to start and what to write in this article of mine but I want to say a very big THANK YOU to those who have encouraged us in Cyprus – including especially Bianca Pizzera, David Watters, Dr David Webster, Dr Alison Jones and Vicky and Fred Modell.

THANK YOU for the precious help you offered and still offer me, supporting me in every effort I make to bring into the light, valuable knowledge on the primary immunodeficiencies and the immune system.

Our association in Cyprus, although small in numbers of patients, is trying to bring some awareness into our little country where until now it has been difficult to get what we need for our patients.

I am aware that this project of mine is very difficult to realise. On April 2007 I took my first step and organized a conference, together with two doctors, Michalis Agastiniotes and Maria Koliou, aiming to inform people and doctors on the International Day of Immunology. This conference was very successful and, for me, it was only the beginning of my continuing efforts. In August 2008 our association was founded and in October 2008 we became full members of IPOPI. We have already translated the 10 Warning Signs which are ready to be forwarded to doctors in hospitals and private health institutions.

I remember Goteborg, Sweden, which was the first time I participated in such an event. I was 22 years old. I remember introducing myself, “Hello I am Maria Georgiou from Cyprus and I am a patient.” In Goteborg I met doctors, nurses, patients and patients’ relatives and I said to myself: “Maria you are not alone, there are more people like you”.

When I first took various brochures illustrating the condition and read them, I became aware of exactly what my condition was: I realized there are different conditions, various pharmaceutical companies and most important of all, that there are PEOPLE you can share common experiences, learn new things and ways of diagnosis.

Medicine has been evolving every day and reading IPOPI’s and JMF’s sites, becoming aware of the effort other countries make through their local associations, make me want to try in every way possible to make our association work, no matter the difficulties it has been facing.

I would like to refer the name of Dr David Webster. We met him when I was 12 years old after many difficulties. Where to start when writing about him? He took care of me as if I was his own daughter. He could not believe it himself when he saw my analysis, he said that it was strange enough I lived. Then, step by step and following his instructions and a suitable treatment, he made it possible for me to be here with you today. I remember seeing my doctor 2, 3 or ever 4 times per year. Now he retired but he told me that he will support me in any step I take, whenever I may need him, for me or my daughter he will advise me. Special thanks to his team and nurses.

Thank you very much for participating in the conference I organized on April 2007 for the International Day of Immunology, thank you for your support.

I would also like to thank Dr Alison Jones from Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital in the UK for taking care of my daughter Margarita and not only her, but various cases of children suffering in Cyprus. Thank you very much for participating in the conference I organized in April 2007 for the International Day of Immunology, thank you for your support.

As for David Watters, my beloved David is always there, always trying to gain more knowledge and find solutions on everything. I know whenever I need him I would send him an e-mail or give him a call and I’d say “Hi David, it’s Maria…” He is always there to help on anything I may need, any question I may have, I really admire you David, THANK YOU.

Bianca, thank you very much because thanks to your support and encouragement our association received the gift of the Crono Super PID Pump, for our patients’ needs. Without your support we might not even have an association!

Vicky and Fred: well-done on the campaign you started in memory of your son, the institutions you founded in every part of the world. Thank you for your support to me and our newly founded association.

Finally, I would like to thank my parents, and especially my mother, for their efforts and patience without which I wouldn’t be here today. My mother kept on fighting against many difficulties. The problems my parents had to face were many but I don’t want to mention them now, we look ahead. I thank them very much.

With this article I would like to give you a message. There is the chance of early diagnosis and of saving innocent lives. There is a chance to avoid the patients’ hard time and what I used to say to our family friends “I have learnt to live this way, I know every week I have my treatment to follow, I live, breath, eat, drink, have fun, cry, laugh, go to work, do my tasks and I know I’ll have to live with it until the end.” I am happy it’s me having immunodeficiency and became aware of it and I still have many things to learn.

I’ve never dared to dream this far, that I, Maria from Cyprus would make it to here.

Thank you all – and good luck with your own NMOs!

(Ed – This article was received before the meeting with the Cyprus Ministry of Health!)