Access to Information Archives

Evangeli Bista on DION TV: Social Support and Kapa3’s Role in Guiding Oncology Patients

On March 19, 2026, Evangeli Bista, Co-founder of Kapa3, gave an interview to Christos Thanasainas, journalist and Scientific Director of Forlife Clinic, on Central Macedonia’s DION TV, during the daily program All About Health, which covers topics on health, nutrition, autoimmune diseases, and recent scientific developments.

The discussion highlighted the importance of social support for cancer patients and their families, both inside and outside the hospital, as well as the critical role of Kapa3 in guiding and providing holistic support to patients.

WHAT IS SOCIAL SUPPORT – TWO WORLDS:

Social support in cancer care is not a single, uniform concept. Inside the hospital, it mainly concerns assistance with the public healthcare system and bureaucratic procedures. Outside the hospital, real life begins: family, caregivers, and decisions the patient must make.

MAJOR SYSTEM CHALLENGES:

As Ms. Bista noted, hospitals face a significant shortage of social workers and related professionals. International literature suggests that there should be 10 social workers for every 2,500 residents—but this is not the case in Greece. In 92 municipalities, there is not a single social worker, while in areas where social workers exist, most are on fixed-term contracts or funded through programs (such as ESIF). The result is a maze of bureaucracy and uncertainty for the patient, who must understand medical and legal terms, make critical decisions, and manage financial consequences—often without support.

THE ROLE OF KAPA3 – SOLUTION, NOT JUST A SERVICE:

In this environment, Kapa3 provides holistic guidance and support, helping patients navigate procedural and practical issues—either independently, if they feel capable, or with active assistance from the organization at every step. Coverage is nationwide, although the complexity and fragmented structure of the system require ongoing study and time for effective support.

THE “HEAVY” MESSAGE – UNDERSTANDING VS. INFORMATION:

As Ms. Bista emphasized:

“The patient doesn’t need more information – they need understanding.”

The process is essentially behavioral: understanding reduces uncertainty, uncertainty reduces anxiety, anxiety affects behavior, and behavior determines health outcomes.

Kapa3 operates within this “maze,” offering holistic guidance and support. Intervention can be supportive, giving patients the ability to act on their own, or active, guiding them step by step. Kapa3 covers the entire country, addressing the growing needs of patients.

THE BIG CHALLENGE: “MYRTO”

“Myrto” represents Kapa3’s major initiative for 2026. After five years in oncology social support, Kapa3 addresses secondary digital exclusion with “Myrto”—a Digital Health Navigator designed to transform knowledge into practical understanding and provide real-time guidance for patients, avoiding the “chaotic wandering” through the healthcare system. The platform is currently in the study and design phase, aiming to meet the real needs of patients and their caregivers.

The interview highlighted the importance of social support, understanding over mere information, and the role of digital technology in modern oncology care. Kapa3 and Myrto strive to bring care from the hospital into patients’ daily lives through a holistic, personalized, and practical approach.

For more information and to watch the full interview, see the video on YouTube here.

(Note: Video in Greek with no English subtitles).

You can dowload our Press Release here

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

Digital Access to Test Results: An Important Right for Patients

Digital access to medical test results has become an important right for patients in Greece, following new regulations that strengthen the use of the Digital Repository of Diagnostic Laboratory Results. According to the relevant decision published in the Government Gazette (March 2026), public and private healthcare units collaborating with EOPYY are required to record diagnostic test results in digital form within a specified timeframe.

This change is not just a technical procedure or an administrative obligation for healthcare providers. In practice, it represents a meaningful enhancement of patients’ rights, ensuring that every citizen can have immediate and organized access to their medical data.

Digital access to test results now reduces the need for physical documents, printed copies, or trips to diagnostic centers. Instead, results are stored in a unified digital environment connected to the Individual Electronic Health Record. This allows patients to have their test history consolidated, reducing the risk of losing important information.

For people living with cancer, this development is especially significant. Disease monitoring often involves repeated tests, visits to different doctors, and continuous evaluation of results. Immediate access to all data facilitates collaboration among healthcare professionals and contributes to more coordinated and effective care.

Moreover, the obligation to record results is linked to reimbursement procedures through EOPYY, enhancing transparency in the healthcare system. This ensures that only tests that have actually been performed are reimbursed, limiting abuse and strengthening the reliability of services.

It is also worth noting that data management is carried out under the current personal data protection framework, safeguarding patients’ privacy and information security.

Transitioning to a more digital healthcare system is not just a technological advancement. It is a step toward a more human, transparent, and accessible system of care, where the patient has an active role and meaningful control over their own data.

Ultimately, strengthening digital access to test results represents an important step forward in empowering patients and improving the quality of healthcare provided.

Source: Government Gazette, FEK B’ 1503/17.03.2026

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

New Collaboration between Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 and the Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS)

Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 announces its new collaboration with the Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS), strengthening synergies between organizations active in the field of health and patient support.

This collaboration aims to develop joint initiatives that will contribute to raising awareness, promoting public information, and providing meaningful support to people living with chronic conditions, with particular focus on cancer patients and persons living with Multiple Sclerosis. Through the exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices, the two organizations seek to strengthen actions that promote equal access to information, healthcare services and social inclusion for patients.

Cancer Guidance Center – Kapa3 is dedicated to supporting people living with cancer and their caregivers by providing reliable information, practical guidance and access to benefits and services. At the same time, the organization develops initiatives that enhance patients’ awareness of their rights and promote their psychosocial empowerment. Through initiatives such as Mobile Units, digital tools and educational programmes, Kapa3 promotes a patient-centred approach to cancer care, encouraging patients to actively participate in decisions concerning their health and quality of life, while fostering collaborations with organizations working in the fields of health and social support.

The Hellenic Federation of Persons with Multiple Sclerosis (HFoPwMS) is a secondary non-profit organization founded in 2008 with the aim of uniting and supporting primary associations of persons with Multiple Sclerosis across Greece, while also raising awareness about the disease among the wider public. The Federation currently brings together nine primary patient associations from across the country. HFoPwMS implements awareness and advocacy initiatives related to Multiple Sclerosis and works to ensure the equal participation of people with MS in the educational, professional, athletic and cultural life of the country. It is a member of the National Confederation of Disabled People (ESAmeA) and the European Multiple Sclerosis Platform (EMSP).

Within the framework of this collaboration, the two organizations plan to develop joint initiatives such as the organization of conferences, workshops and awareness events, the implementation of information and public awareness campaigns, participation in national and European programmes, as well as the development of joint research initiatives on issues related to patients’ quality of life. The partnership will also contribute to strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation and knowledge exchange among organizations active in the health sector.

This new collaboration reflects the shared vision of the two organizations to strengthen the voice of patients and promote a society that respects, supports and empowers people living with chronic conditions.

February 15 – International Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Day

February 15 is dedicated to International Childhood and Adolescent Cancer Day, a day to raise awareness for children and adolescents facing cancer and for the families who stand by them through this particularly challenging journey.

Globally, over 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0–19 are diagnosed with cancer each year. In high-income countries, more than 80% of children survive thanks to medical advancements and improved treatment protocols. However, inequalities in access to timely diagnosis and appropriate care remain significant. The World Health Organization has set a goal to improve survival rates worldwide by 2030 by strengthening healthcare systems and access to treatment.

In Greece, approximately 300–350 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, with leukemia and central nervous system tumors being the most common types. Survival rates have improved significantly in recent decades, highlighting the importance of specialized medical and psychosocial care.

The experience of cancer at such a young age does not end with the completion of treatment. It often leaves an imprint that accompanies children into adulthood — a stage where challenges change form but the need for support remains.

FROM ADOLESCENCE TO YOUNG ADULTHOOD: THE NEED FOR CONTINUOUS CARE

Young adults aged 18–35 who have experienced cancer form a particularly vulnerable and often “invisible” group, situated between pediatric and adult oncology care. A diagnosis or long-term effects of the disease during this life stage can deeply impact independence, education, work, relationships, and future plans.

References
World Health Organization (WHO). Childhood cancer – Key facts. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer-in-children
World Health Organization (WHO). Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer. https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-initiative-for-childhood-cancer
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Global Cancer Observatory – Childhood Cancer Data. https://gco.iarc.fr
Hellenic Society of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology (EEPAO). https://www.eepao.gr

Text/adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3

The “Myrto” Health Navigator : A New Era of Digital Support for Oncology Patients

The “Myrto” Health Navigator brings digital and AI-powered care closer to oncology patients, supporting personalization and equitable access to services.

On the occasion of the recent initiatives implemented by Kapa3 in the context of World Cancer Day, our organization once again highlighted the importance of access, empowerment, and meaningful support for oncology patients. Through awareness actions and public engagement, we reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening patients’ voices and improving their everyday reality.

Throughout its journey, Kapa3 has consistently demonstrated its dedication to supporting oncology patients by bridging gaps in information, accessibility, and social care. Building on this experience, we are now taking the next step forward.

After five years of continuous presence in empowering oncology patients through digital guidance, Kapa3 is expanding its footprint in the field of social accessibility by creating an innovative digital assistant: “Myrto.”
“Myrto” addresses the phenomenon of second-level digital exclusion, transforming digital information into a human, accessible, and meaningful experience. It represents the first Social Artificial Intelligence application in the field of social welfare for oncology patients in Greece.

It goes beyond providing information: it converses, guides, and evolves according to users’ real needs, with an emphasis on both accessibility and psychosocial support.

Our aim is to develop a fully functional chatbot integrated into the Kapa3 website, to train social workers and healthcare professionals in its use, and to substantially reduce the digital divide for vulnerable groups.

“Myrto” will offer holistic and personalized guidance to oncology patients as a true Patient Empowerment e-Navigator, through two main pillars:

Patient Advocate: Support with legal and administrative procedures (benefits, patient rights), facilitation of access to social welfare services, and guidance within the local healthcare system.
Health Navigator: Provision of essential information for health self-management.

At the same time, the platform will enhance communication, highlight available community resources, and incorporate an innovative health literacy assessment tool, enabling full personalization of the services provided.

The project will be developed, tested, and validated by oncology patients as well as by social workers, legal and financial experts, and consultants in health communication and psychology, both in person and online across Greece.

Your participation could substantially contribute to co-creating a personalized Navigator for every oncology patient, as a multidisciplinary perspective is a key factor in the project’s success.

Upon completion, we expect significant social, health, and scientific impact: improved patient quality of life, strengthened self-management, reduced resource requirements, and the creation of a network of experts and informed patients and professionals.

The Founding Sponsor of the “Myrto”Health Navigator is the TIMA Foundation.

We invite organizations, professionals, and stakeholders to become partners in this new chapter of the “Myrto” Health Navigator by Kapa3 and contribute to building a more accessible, inclusive, and patient-centered healthcare environment.

Evangeli Bista,

Co-founder Kapa3 – Head of Strategic Partnerships
PhD(c), MBA, MSc, BSc

Text/Adaptation: Ifiyenia Anastasiou for Kapa3