On Monday (February 10), Olympiacos visited the Children’s Oncology Unit “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis–ELPIDA,” following an initiative by the President of Olympiacos FC, Mr. Evangelos Marinakis. For many years, the Legend (as Olympiacos is known) has supported “ELPIDA,” with the entire team—players, coaching staff, and executives—visiting the hospitalized children, spreading joy, gifts, and “HOPE” for life.
Our team, accompanied by Mr. Marinakis’ wife, Mrs. Athanasia Marinakis, was welcomed by the President of the “ELPIDA – Association of Friends of Children with Cancer,” Mrs. Christiana V. Vardinoyannis, the Governor of the “P.&A. Kyriakou” and “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospitals, Mr. Manolis Papasavvas, and members of the Boards of Directors of the ELPIDA and ORAMA ELPIDAS Associations.
Olympiacos’ players met the young children being treated at the Unit, took photos with them, and offered red-and-white gifts, such as signed footballs, scarves, and more.
Mrs. Vardinoyannis warmly thanked Olympiacos FC for its longstanding and meaningful support in the fight against childhood cancer and renewed the cooperation between ELPIDA and Olympiacos, proclaiming the club as “Champion for HOPE 2025–2027”:
“Today is a great day for the children of ELPIDA. Your visit is an unforgettable moment in their lives. It gives them great strength to feel you by their side. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of the entire ELPIDA family, for your invaluable support all these years! We are proud that today, at the start of your centennial year, we are renewing our collaboration by declaring Olympiacos FC Champion for HOPE for the biennium 2025–2027,” stated Mrs. Vardinoyannis.
Olympiacos coach José Luis Mendilibar said:
“Thank you very much for the invitation to be here with you. Today you help us understand how insignificant football is compared to other things in life and how important it is to be here by your side. What happens here is far more important than what happens on the pitch. Football is important, but there are things in life that are more important”.
Representing Mr. Marinakis, Olympiacos Vice President and Mayor of Piraeus, Mr. Yiannis Moralis, stated:
“We would like to thank you for the warm welcome we received. It’s been at least a decade since our President, Evangelos Marinakis, had the idea to establish a connection with the ELPIDA Association. This year feels somewhat awkward, as it is the first time we are visiting after the loss of Marianna Vardinoyannis. We didn’t come last year. And this is a bit awkward for all of us, as we were used to her iconic presence in this hall. We all know the contribution of the Association to these children. We love our coach, not only because he is a good coach but also because he speaks well, and indeed, this here is the real battle of life. Football is a sport, a game, a form of entertainment, of course, but here are those who are born true fighters and winners for life. I bring the message of our President, Evangelos Marinakis, of his support for the ELPIDA Association and of our ongoing desire to stand by these children. The same goes for our players, who are role models. We’ve said before that our own lives—those of the players, the team, all of us—are a daily battle for victory. Here, it is a battle for life. That’s why, as our coach said, the level of battle fought here is of a different magnitude.
We will continue to be by your side. For us too, it is one of the most important moments of the year when we come here and see the children’s joy upon meeting their idols—the athletes. And truly, when you volunteer, you feel better inside. If we were to read in the Greek encyclopedia the definition of a volunteer, it would be that of Marianna Vardinoyannis, and we are happy that when we get the chance to offer something to these children and to all of you fighting this great battle, we also feel more important and better people. Let me thank you and, on behalf of our President, present a gift marking our 100-year anniversary, as well as Mr. Marinakis’ annual financial contribution to support your efforts. We are happy you have named us Champions. We are used to winning titles, but this one is especially meaningful and important to us”.
On his part, the Governor of the “P.&A. Kyriakou” and “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospitals, Mr. Manolis Papasavvas, provided a detailed briefing on the work being carried out at the Unit, noting among other things:
“Our Oncology Hospital continues to serve the vision of the late Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, keeping pace with all advancements in medical science and providing our young patients access to innovative and pioneering treatments. To date, 47,000 hospitalizations have taken place, 209,100 day hospitalizations, 1,500 transplants, 20 cellular therapies, and 3 gene modification therapies”.
Immediately afterward, Mr. Moralis handed over, once again, a check to Mrs. Vardinoyannis to support the work of the Children’s Oncology Unit, along with a symbolic commemorative gift marking the 100-year anniversary of Olympiacos FC.
Mrs. Vardinoyannis, in turn, following the presentation of a surprise video, in recognition of Olympiacos FC’s major support, offered a symbolic sculpture to the club’s President, Mr. Evangelos Marinakis. She also honored the Mayor of Piraeus and Vice President of the club, Mr. Yiannis Moralis, as well as the team’s coach José Luis Mendilibar, and presented commemorative gifts from the children of ELPIDA to all Olympiacos players, who subsequently visited the young patients of the Unit, going room by room. They took photos with them, gave out gifts, and wished them strength and optimism—both of which they deeply need.
