Author: k3-editor

World Love Day – 14 December

Love as a foundation of wellbeing, resilience, and human connection

World Love Day, celebrated every year on 14 December, invites us to pause and reflect on the power of love in our everyday lives. Love — in all its forms — strengthens human connection, nurtures compassion, and builds more resilient communities. For people facing illness, caregiving responsibilities or personal hardship, love is not just an emotion; it is presence, support, and protection.

Love and human wellbeing

International evidence highlights that loving relationships and strong social bonds contribute to better mental health, lower stress levels, and greater resilience. Social support — whether from family, friends, or the wider community — is essential during moments of crisis and plays a key role in enhancing overall wellbeing.

Inequalities in access to care, support, and connection

Although love is universal in meaning, it is not universally experienced. Social and economic barriers, loneliness, and lack of supportive networks can limit a person’s access to care and emotional safety. World Love Day is a reminder that social cohesion requires continuous effort — especially for individuals and families living in vulnerable conditions.

The meaning of love in cancer care

For people living with cancer — and for those who care for them — love carries a profound significance. Emotional support has been shown to:

  • reduce anxiety and depression,

  • strengthen adherence to treatment,

  • improve communication with healthcare professionals,

  • and create a much-needed sense of stability and safety.

Love means no one should face illness alone.

The Greek context

In Greece, many patients and caregivers rely heavily on informal networks of support. While this often becomes a powerful source of strength, it can also create pressure when caregivers lack institutional support or face social and economic challenges. Strengthening a culture of care and solidarity is essential so that no family carries the burden by itself.

The role of Kapa3

At Kapa3, love is at the heart of our work. Through awareness activities, psychosocial support, networking opportunities, and advocacy for patients’ rights, we strive to create environments where love translates into care, safety, and dignity. We support families, empower caregivers, and amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.

Become a member or volunteer at Kapa3

Support our work and become part of a community that ensures no patient or caregiver is left alone. By joining Kapa3 as a member or volunteer, you help us build support networks, provide reliable information and psychosocial support, and promote dignity and compassion in practice.

Learn more about volunteering here: https://www.kapa3.gr/prosklisi-ethelonton-gia-to-kentro-kathodigisis-karkinopathon-kapa3/

After all, nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer. (Jimmy Doolittle)

If you would like to contribute, you can contact us by phone or email, using the subject line “Volunteering”.

Become a member of Kapa3:
https://www.kapa3.gr/gine-melos/

Contact us here:
https://www.kapa3.gr/epikoinonia/

Learn more about Kapa3 at:
www.kapa3.gr

A call to action

World Love Day invites us to express love openly, through actions and with consistency. It calls on us to support those who need care, to cultivate empathy, and to build a society where compassion and humanity are not exceptions, but core values.

Let’s not forget that love is a choice. It takes time. It requires patience and effort. It means showing up. It is kindness. It is not selfish, and it is not conditional.

Let us remember today — and every day — that love is an action. And that this action has the power to change lives.

After all,

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Universal Health Coverage Day – December 12

International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day is observed every year on December 12 to remind us that access to quality, affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of just and sustainable societies. The United Nations established this day to strengthen global commitment so that all people, everywhere, can access the health services they need without financial hardship. (WHO)

Statistics

Universal health coverage is not just a goal. It is a central element of the United Nations  Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Despite progress in recent decades, the reality remains challenging. Approximately 4.6 billion people worldwide still lack access to essential health services. At the same time, 2.1 billion face financial hardship in accessing care. Finally 1.6 billion pushed into poverty due to health expenditures.

These statistics demonstrate that universal coverage remains far from fully achieved, with significant inequalities between countries and within societies: poorer populations, rural residents, people with lower education, and other vulnerable groups face much greater barriers to healthcare. (WHO – World Bank Report)

Situation in Greece

In Greece, although universal coverage exists in principle through the National Health System, access to care is not always equitable or complete. Only a small percentage of citizens report high satisfaction with service availability, while around 12.1% of people have unmet healthcare needs, a rate significantly higher than the OECD average. (OECD)

Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses particularly affect lower-income households. Nearly nearly 10% of households facing catastrophic health spending, forcing families to sacrifice essentials such as food or housing. (WHO – Health Care Greece)

These inequalities are not just numbers—they have real consequences for quality of life. For cancer patients, universal coverage means timely diagnosis, access to treatments, continuous monitoring, psychosocial support, and palliative care. Lack of comprehensive, accessible care can worsen disease outcomes and increase psychological and financial burden for patients and their families.

At Kapa3, we strive to ensure that no cancer patient or their loved ones feel alone. Through educational initiatives, experiential programs, psychosocial support, and guidance materials, we advocate for healthcare access that respects human dignity, life, and real needs.

Universal Health Coverage Day is not just a date—it is a call to action for broader access, reduced inequalities, and genuine support for all. Together, we can make meaningful change.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

KAPA3 at the 18th Panhellenic Congress of Nutrition & Dietetics

The 18th Panhellenic Congress of Nutrition & Dietetics took place at the Athens Concert Hall from 4–6 December 2025, bringing together scientists and professionals to discuss the latest developments in nutrition under the central theme “Bridging Research and Practice.”

The Congress covered topics ranging from alternative proteins to eating disorders, through lectures, workshops, and roundtable discussions.

During the session “Co-Creating Health: Participatory Research with Cancer Patients on Nutrition and Mental Resilience”, held on Friday, 5 December in Hall MC3, participants included Andrea Paola Rojas Gil, Associate Professor of Biology – Biochemistry and Director of the Laboratory of Basic Health Sciences at the University of Peloponnese, a close KAPA3 collaborator in the field of nutrition, with the topic “Nutrition as a Tool to Support Treatment and Wellbeing: Comparison of Co-Design Programs for Oncology Patients in Greece and Colombia”; Evagelia Bista on behalf of KAPA3 with “Nutrition as a Social Determinant of Health: Inequalities, Education, Environment and Policies”; and Ioanna Sideri with “Mental Health and Strategies for Empowerment and Resilience”.

Nutrition as a Social Determinant of Health

Evagelia Bista emphasized that nutrition is not merely a personal choice but one of the most critical social determinants of health, directly affecting the prevention, progression, and quality of life of oncology patients. Nearly half of people worldwide lack access to healthy food, and socio-economic inequalities determine who can follow a nutritious diet. Greece is no exception: the economic crisis, the high cost of healthy foods, and the turn towards cheap, highly processed options have worsened the situation.

Key points highlighted in the presentation included:

  • Income, education level, and food availability determine dietary quality, with low-income households experiencing higher rates of obesity and chronic diseases.

  • A shift from the Mediterranean diet towards Western-style options due to economic and social factors.

  • A double burden for vulnerable populations: undernutrition and obesity coexist, particularly affecting those facing food insecurity.

  • Impacts on oncology patients: adequate nutrition is crucial for treatment tolerance, recovery, and quality of life, yet many patients face financial and treatment-related barriers.

Ms. Bista presented KAPA3’s actions with a focus on nutritional support and the participatory approach applied in online Experiential Sessions, conducted in collaboration with the University of Peloponnese. These sessions continue a series dedicated to holistic care for body and mind, emphasizing both nutrition and mental health for oncology patients and their caregivers.

KAPA3 underlines that nutrition cannot be seen as an individual behavior alone but as the result of social, economic, and environmental factors. Reducing inequalities and ensuring access to healthy food for all is essential for better health outcomes, especially in oncology care.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

GD2: A Critical Biomarker and Therapeutic Target – What the Latest Evidence Shows

New scientific data highlight GD2 — a glycolipid biomarker expressed in specific cancer cells — as one of the most promising therapeutic targets in modern oncology. A recent review published in an international scientific journal brings together the latest findings on the use of GD2 in immunotherapies, CAR-T cell treatments, monoclonal antibodies, and other innovative approaches.

What is GD2 and why does it matter?

GD2 is a molecule known as disialoganglioside-2, found in high concentrations on the surface of certain cancer cells. This makes it particularly valuable as a target for personalized immunotherapies, as treatments can “recognize” and destroy GD2-positive cells while sparing healthy tissues.

Cancers with high GD2 expression include:
• Neuroblastoma
• Osteosarcoma
• Melanoma
• Breast cancer (triple-negative in some cases)
• Certain lung cancers
• Rare pediatric tumors

In neuroblastoma — one of the most common pediatric cancers — GD2-directed antibody therapy has already improved survival in high-risk patients.

The new scientific review maps the current progress in GD2-targeted therapies, highlighting the technologies showing the strongest clinical potential. GD2-directed monoclonal antibodies, already effective in children with neuroblastoma, are evolving into more precise and safer versions, aiming to expand their use in adult tumors as well. The review also presents updated data from clinical trials of GD2-directed CAR-T cells: despite challenges such as toxicity, tumor escape, and limited persistence, newer CAR-T generations demonstrate improved safety, deeper penetration into solid tumors, and especially promising outcomes in pediatric patients.

The review further examines combination immunotherapies that pair GD2 targeting with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immune checkpoint inhibitors, offering enhanced effectiveness against resistant tumors. Finally, emerging platforms are described — including bispecific antibodies, “smart” nanoparticle-based strategies, and drug-delivery technologies that target only GD2-positive cells — expanding the therapeutic landscape and opening new avenues for future applications.

What does this mean for patients?

GD2-targeted therapy is no longer theoretical — it is already a reality in certain pediatric cancers and is rapidly expanding into other tumor types.

Key benefits for patients include:
• greater precision with reduced toxicity
• the potential for highly individualized treatment based on tumor profile
• new hope for tumors that remain difficult to treat with existing methods
• improved survival prospects, especially for children

For pediatric and young adult patients — a group with historically limited and often highly burdensome treatment options — GD2-directed therapies represent a significant step forward.

Despite the important progress made, several challenges remain. These include side effects such as neuropathic pain, tumor resistance or escape from targeting, the high cost and limited availability of advanced treatments, and the need for large, multi-center clinical trials to produce more robust and generalizable data. Still, research activity is intensifying, with dozens of clinical studies currently ongoing worldwide.

Within this evolving landscape, Kapa3 remains committed to providing accurate, accessible, and compassionate information to patients and families, particularly those facing severe, rare, or pediatric cancers. Advances in GD2-targeted therapies are opening new pathways for children and young people with limited options today , showcasing the power and potential of immunotherapy. At the same time, they highlight the urgent need for equitable access to innovative treatments for patients in Greece.

Kapa3 will continue to follow scientific developments closely and keep the community informed in a clear, reliable, and human-centered way.

Sources: Here

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

10 December — The Right to Health, Dignity and Equality

On 10 December 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — a landmark document of 30 articles affirming, for the first time, that every person is entitled to equal, inalienable and fundamental rights: dignity, freedom, equality, security, and justice.

The Declaration marked a turning point in history. In the aftermath of World War II, states committed to protecting the human rights of all people — not only civil and political rights, but also social rights such as the right to health.

The Right to Health — Why It Matters for People Living with Cancer

The right to health is enshrined in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration and forms a cornerstone of human dignity.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it includes:

  • access to quality health services

  • a safe and supportive environment

  • clear, accessible health information

  • equal treatment without discrimination

For people living with cancer, this right translates into timely diagnosis, dignified care, psychosocial support, and information that is understandable and tailored to their real needs.

Cancer Statistics: The Global Picture and Greece

According to the latest estimates from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/WHO):

  • In 2022, there were approximately 20 million new cancer diagnoses worldwide.

  • Cancer-related deaths reached 9.7 million.

  • IARC projects that by 2050, global cancer cases could increase by up to 77%, unless prevention, equitable access and high-quality care are strengthened.

Cancer in Greece

Recent data for Greece indicate:

  • An estimated 63,176 new cancer cases in 2022.

  • An age-standardised incidence rate of 529 new diagnoses per 100,000 people, slightly below the EU-27 average.

  • A mortality rate of 239 deaths per 100,000 people (2021), slightly above the European average.

  • The most common cancer types in Greece include breast, prostate, colorectal, lung and thyroid cancer.

  • Inequalities in access to early detection and modern treatments remain a significant concern.

Why These Numbers Matter

Cancer does not affect “a few.” It is widespread — with thousands of new diagnoses every year. But outcomes are not equal for everyone. Many patients and caregivers face disparities in access to early diagnosis, quality care, reliable information, and continuous support.

In Greece, thousands of people confront daily barriers: delays, regional inequalities, lack of supportive services, overly complex medical information, or gaps in the continuity of care.

These realities make the right to health — especially in cancer care — a critical human rights issue.

Our Commitment at Kapa3

At Kapa3, we work to reduce health inequalities and ensure that every person living with cancer can access what they are entitled to. Through:

  • Accessible and clear translations of medical information

  • Psychosocial support for patients and caregivers

  • Participation in EU projects promoting equitable health care

  • Public awareness and prevention campaigns

  • Collaboration with scientific bodies and health authorities

  • Actions supporting health equity for vulnerable groups

  • The Kapa3 App as a digital tool for patient support

Across all our initiatives, we promote equality, empowerment and respect for human dignity in everyday cancer care.

No One Should Be Left Behind

Human Rights Day is not merely an anniversary. It is a reminder that health is not a privilege — it is a right.
And this right must be protected in practice, through policies, structures and services that respond to people’s real needs.

We stand beside every patient and every caregiver. We continue to work for a health-care system that supports and respects everyone, without exception.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) are transforming oncology, giving patients a greater role in managing their treatment.

Recent studies have shown that using digital tools to collect medical data outside the traditional clinical setting reduces delayed symptom reporting, limits severe side effects, decreases hospitalizations and emergency visits, while improving survival and quality of life for patients.

In practice, this means digital applications allow patients to promptly inform their doctors of any issues, reducing risks and enhancing their daily experience during treatment.

Based on these findings, in 2022, ESMO published guidelines for integrating patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into clinical practice, recommending electronic platforms over paper questionnaires (Ann Oncol. 2022).

Dr. Charles Ferté, Chief Medical & Patient Officer of the Resilience solution, developed in collaboration with the Institut Gustave Roussy in France, highlights that AI can address limitations in using patient reports in oncology. According to him, about 50% of patients’ side effects go unreported, either due to forgotten symptoms or staff workload. Mild but persistent side effects are often overlooked, affecting treatment effectiveness.

The Resilience solution includes an online platform for doctors and nurses to monitor symptoms and receive alerts, and a mobile app for patients to submit real-time data. Data are processed through AI algorithms and transformed into actionable insights for the oncology team, facilitating timely intervention and care optimization. This enables doctors to monitor patients in real time and prevent complications before they become serious.

Additionally, the solution incorporates Natural Language Processing (NLP) to extract data from medical notes and lab results, and a predictive algorithm estimates the risk of severe side effects and unplanned hospitalizations.

Patient engagement is crucial: compliance with weekly questionnaires reaches up to 85%, with many describing the app as a “lifeline” during treatment. Although initially thought to appeal only to younger patients, research shows acceptance spans all ages (JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2018; J Geriatr Oncol. 2024).

The solution can also screen large patient populations, identifying those who would benefit from a hybrid care model—digital tools combined with in-person support, such as behavioral and cognitive therapy. Continuous data collection allows RPM to expand to social and behavioral indicators, including isolation, employment, access to care, addictions, physical activity, or food insecurity.

Finally, digital data open new avenues in research: the Resilience database includes over 20,000 patients across 140 hospitals in France, Belgium, Germany, and Spain, enabling real-world data use for more targeted clinical research. In the future, digital phenotyping will allow monitoring of physical and cognitive indicators via mobile sensors like pedometers and gyroscopes, offering a more comprehensive view of the patient experience.

It is clear that cancer care can now rely not only on patient and professional engagement but also on data analysis that uncovers hidden aspects of patients’ daily lives and symptoms.

Kapa3 remains at the forefront of oncology developments, continuously updating on new technologies and practices, actively supporting patients and caregivers, and creating tools and resources that ease daily life. Focused on patient empowerment, Kapa3 bridges scientific knowledge with practical solutions, ensuring everyone feels guided and safe throughout their treatment journey.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Sources:

Kapa3 Supports Digital Innovation for Oncology Patients at Morning Health Talks

On Thursday, 4 December 2025, the second Morning Health Talk titled “Health Data for Innovation in Greece: Building a Stronger Digital Health Ecosystem” took place at the National Documentation Centre (EKT) in Athens. The event was held in a hybrid format (in-person and online participation), bringing together health professionals, researchers, policymakers and technology partners from Greece and abroad.

During the event, international and Greek experiences were presented on the management and use of health data, digital transformation, and best practices for leveraging data to strengthen the country’s digital health ecosystem.

Among the speakers were:

  • Dr Athanasios Batagiannis, General Director, 3-psi

  • Georgios Dimitriou, Cluster Manager, Hellenic Digital Health Cluster

  • Dr Ioannis Koumpouros, Director of DigInHealth, University of West Attica

  • Elpida Fotiadou, Head of eHealth, IDIKA

With the contribution of the distinguished speakers, key issues were discussed, including infrastructure interoperability, the need for reliable data, bureaucratic barriers, gaps in digital literacy, the development of focused platforms and processes, faster care pathways and needs assessment, the reduction of information fragmentation, and the development of human-centred digital solutions with practical value and social acceptance.

KAPA3 presented its strategic approach, focusing on standardised procedures, data quality improvement, interdisciplinarity, and the use of digital tools to support people living with cancer, as well as on guidance, interaction, empowerment and patient participation in data utilisation processes. At every step, KAPA3 addresses key challenges such as data fragmentation, stakeholder collaboration and human-centred digital solutions—issues that are also summarised in the Good Practices Guide developed within the eHealth4Cancer project.

In summary, the main points highlighted were:

  • A human-centred approach and the application of good practices to ensure the usability and social acceptance of digital solutions.

  • Strengthening collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers and citizens to develop reliable and functional digital infrastructures.

  • The need for systematic scientific research to address challenges such as skills gaps, limited access and data fragmentation.

The event provided an important opportunity for networking and knowledge exchange, promoting the alignment of digital health infrastructures with citizens’ needs and reinforcing KAPA3’s role as an active contributor to the digital transformation of healthcare in Greece.

Read the full Morning Health Talks 2025 press release here and view photos from the event.

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

International Volunteer Day – 5 December

Celebrating the people who give their time to make the world better

International Volunteer Day (IVD) is celebrated every year on 5 December, following a United Nations resolution that recognises the contribution of volunteers to peace, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
It is a day dedicated to acknowledging the millions of people who offer care, support, skills, and solidarity — quietly and consistently.

What volunteering means today

Volunteering goes far beyond goodwill.
It strengthens communities, bridges inequalities, supports public health systems and safety nets, and empowers people to take action where it’s needed most.

Across the world, volunteers contribute to:

  • health and patient support

  • social care and community services

  • disaster response and humanitarian aid

  • education and youth programmes

  • environmental protection and sustainability

  • advocacy for vulnerable groups

The scale of volunteering

Global landscape

According to UN Volunteers (UNV):

  • Around 862.4 million people aged 15+ volunteer every month worldwide.

  • This represents nearly 15% of the global working-age population.

  • The total global volume of volunteer work is equivalent to the labour of 109 million full-time workers.

  • Organised (formal) volunteering accounts for about 6.5%, while informal volunteering reaches 14.3% globally.

Volunteering in Greece

ILO (ILOSTAT, 2022) reports that in Greece:

  • 543,010 people engage in direct (informal) volunteering.

  • 669,712 people contribute through voluntary organisations.

These figures reflect a strong and active culture of solidarity, participation, and civic engagement across the country.

Volunteering and cancer care

In the field of cancer, volunteering plays a vital and deeply human role.
Volunteers offer:

  • practical assistance to patients and caregivers

  • support in navigating health services and rights

  • companionship during demanding procedures or appointments

  • participation in awareness and prevention activities

  • emotional support and empowerment

Their presence brings stability, trust, and hope during some of the most challenging moments in a patient’s journey.

Volunteering at Kapa3

International Volunteer Day highlights the dedication of Kapa3 volunteers and the fact that our volunteers are an essential part of our mission.
Through their contribution, they:

  • support patients and caregivers in their day-to-day needs

  • assist in awareness, prevention, and advocacy actions

  • strengthen our European programmes, research activities, and community outreach

  • bring compassion, knowledge, and willingness to every corner of our work

Thanks to them, our vision — no one should face cancer alone — becomes reality.

Become a volunteer at Kapa3

If you wish to support cancer patients and their families, contribute to your community, and become part of our mission, you can join our volunteer network.

Click here to join our volunteer team: here

On International Volunteer Day, the Kapa3 team honours those who not only give their time, care, and heart but also support patients and caregivers in countless ways.
To every volunteer: thank you for your kindness, your consistency, and your strength.
Thank you for helping us build a world of dignity and hope.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Sources

United Nations Volunteers (UNV), State of the World’s Volunteerism Report (2022)

International Labour Organization (ILO) – ILOSTAT, Volunteer Work Statistics (Greece, 2022)

Trvst – Volunteering Facts & Global Volunteer Work Analysis

Dispensing High-Cost Medicines (HCM) Through Private Pharmacies – What Changes for Patients

A recent Ministerial Decision (Government Gazette B’ 6333/27.11.2025) introduces significant changes to the distribution of High-Cost Medicines (HCM), allowing patients to receive these medicines not only from EOPYY pharmacies but also from private community pharmacies. This new framework replaces the 2020 regulation and aims to ease patient access, reduce inconvenience, and improve the delivery of essential therapies.

The list of HCM medicines included in this process is available in the corresponding Government Gazette here.

What Changes for Patients

  • The prescribing physician issues the prescription through the national e-prescription system (IDIKA).
  • Patients may choose to receive their medicine either from an EOPYY pharmacy or a private community pharmacy.
  • Through the dedicated HCM application (using Taxisnet credentials + AMKA), patients select the private pharmacy that will serve them.
  • Patients receive electronic notifications regarding the status of their order and the availability of the medicine for pickup.
  • Medicines are dispensed with zero patient co-payment.
  • The time from approval to pickup may not exceed 10 days.

What Changes for Private Pharmacies

Private pharmacists now assume an expanded role in handling High-Cost Medicines, with specific responsibilities and procedures.

  1. Medicine Receipt
  • The pharmacist scans the product’s barcode in the EOPYY system to complete the warehouse reconciliation process for EOPYY’s pharmaceutical depot.
  • The patient is automatically notified via the system once the medicine arrives at the pharmacy.
  1. Prescription Verification and Dispensing

The pharmacist must verify:

  • the patient’s identity or the presence of a valid authorization,
  • the accuracy of the prescription and its alignment with the prescribing physician’s instructions,
  • the correct medicinal product,
  • the presence of any required supporting documents,
  • the authenticity labels or deactivated safety features,
  • the physician’s signature and the recipient’s signature.

The pharmacist then signs and stamps the prescription to complete the dispensing process.

Failure to comply with these procedures may lead to sanctions under Presidential Decree 121/2008.

  1. Pharmacist Remuneration

For each dispensed HCM prescription, pharmacists receive:

  • a scientific service fee of €20.00 + VAT,

without the need to issue transport documents.

This cost is not included in the total pharmaceutical expenditure ceiling of EOPYY.

  1. Monthly Submission of Prescriptions

Every month, pharmacists must send:

  • the dispensed prescriptions,
  • the consolidated report,
  • and the service invoice
    to the EOPYY Department of Prescription Processing and Review.

Electronic images of prescriptions remain available for audit.

  1. Unexecuted Prescriptions

If a prescription is not executed:

  • the medicine is returned to the pharmaceutical company after 5 days,
  • and the company issues a credit invoice to EOPYY.
  1. Loss or Damage of Medicines

If the medicine is lost or damaged due to pharmacist responsibility,
EOPYY charges the pharmacist the procurement value of the product.

Why This Change Matters

The updated system:

  • reduces patient inconvenience,
  • relieves congestion in EOPYY pharmacies,
  • ensures faster access to essential therapies,
  • strengthens the role of community pharmacists,
  • and modernizes the distribution of High-Cost Medicines.

This development significantly improves the daily lives of patients who rely on regular access to specialized treatments — including many oncology patients. KAPA3 continues to stand by cancer patients and their families, offering reliable guidance and practical support so that every patient feels safe and fully informed about their rights and benefits.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities — 3 December

A day of awareness, commitment, and action

The International Disability Day, also known as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (3 December), established by the United Nations in 1992, serves as an annual reminder of the need for full inclusion, equality, and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities across all aspects of social life. Moreover, today, more than ever, promoting accessibility and inclusion is not optional — it is an obligation.

According to the World Health Organization (2024), approximately 1.3 billion people — 16% of the global population — live with some form of disability. Disability is part of human diversity, and the lived experience of it highlights the systemic inequalities that continue to exist in many countries, including Greece. As a result, the need for stronger inclusion policies becomes increasingly evident.

These global figures highlight why International Disability Day remains a vital call to action worldwide.

Challenges and inequalities in Greece

In Greece, persons with disabilities still face significant barriers in their daily lives: inadequate accessibility in public spaces and services, difficulties in mobility, limited access to employment, and persistent social stigma that deeply affects their quality of life. National data confirm that these inequalities have direct consequences on health, education, and participation in social and economic life.

At the same time, improving accessibility is not only about removing barriers — it is about shaping a society that recognizes the real needs of its people. Therefore, from training professionals and changing attitudes, to ensuring universal access to healthcare and psychosocial support, inclusion requires sustained commitment. Only then can we guarantee that every citizen has equal opportunities, dignity, and participation.

Kapa3’s perspective: A world where every voice is heard

At the Cancer Patient Guidance Centre – Kapa3, we support individuals facing serious health challenges every day. We understand how essential the following are:

  • clear and accessible information
  •  timely support
  •  respect
  •  care without exclusions

Learn more about the rights of Persons with Disabilities in the following publications on our website here.

Find information about issuing a disability card here, and about free or reduced public transportation fares here.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that every action and every policy must be built on the principle of inclusion.
No one should be left behind.

Building more inclusive societies: From vision to practice

Creating a truly accessible environment requires:

  • Accessible cities and public services
  •  Training for professionals in health, social care, and customer service
  •  Accessible digital technologies
  •  Employment policies that enable active participation
  •  Awareness-raising and dialogue to combat stigma

Inclusion is not an act of “good will” — it is a prerequisite for social progress.

At the same time, the transition to a genuinely inclusive society is not instantaneous. It requires coordinated efforts from the State, civil society, and persons with disabilities themselves. Continuous evaluation, transparency, and meaningful participation are the foundations of lasting change.

Access is a right.
Every person deserves respect and equal opportunities.

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Sources