In 1974, the World Health Organization first launched the “HEALTH FOR ALL” campaign.
This message inspired a small group of volunteers, including the then young educator and current
President of “Open Arms Hug” – Friends of Social Pediatrics and Medicine, Ms. Yolanda Vlachou.

This group had already begun to be active at the P & A Kyriakou Children’s Hospital by staffing the Play Therapy sessions and having a very important contribution to nursing children. But they realized they wanted to offer more. It was then that “Open Arms Hug” – Friends of Social Pediatrics and Medicine was established and gained its status as a Non-Profit Organization. Its main goal was to support, in every way they could, the nursing children who were hospitalized in Children’s Hospitals across the country.

Our headquarters are located on the annex of P & A Kyriakou Children’s Hospital.

The Board of Directors of “Open Arms Hug” is consisted of 9 members.

OUR RESOURCES:

MEMBERSHIPS

DONATIONS

SPONSORSHIPS

EVENTS

OUR MEASURING RESULTS

Since 1993 “Open Arms Hug” – Friends of Social Pediatrics and Medicine keeps transforming their vision into action with consistency and responsibility:

  • 8 Preventive Medicine campaigns per year, in the Greek border towns and islands
  • More than 15,000 medical procedures in children and adults per year.
  • 18 renovations in Children’s Hospitals and Children’s Departments at General Hospitals in Athens and Thessaloniki.
  • Establishment of the first public bank of stem cells in Northern Greece
  • Construction of 9 playgrounds in the islands of the Greek Frontier.
  • Establishment of the “Open Arms Hug” Day Center in the Municipality of Kropia (East suburbs of Athens) for children with Developmental Disabilities.
  • Establishment of the Mental Health Program for Teens, Parents and Teachers
  • Support the underprivileged families who live at the East suburbs of Athens
  • Donation of equipment to Children’s Burning Unit at the P & A Kyriakou Children’s Hospital
  • Donations of medical equipment and tools to Children’s Hospitals nationwide and Health Centers located in the border towns and islands of Greece.
  • Renovation of the Kindergarten in Psara
  • Construction of 9 playgrounds in the islands of the Greek Frontier.
  • Donation of a Mammography Device to Thrace
  • Donations of state-of-the-art technology devices (computers, interactive boards etc) to schools in the border towns and islands of Greece.
  • Support underprivileged families and underserved communities.

As the time passes, we can see our “planted seeds” to flourish and to keep giving hope
to nursing children and the families at the Greek borders.

We are committed to use and manage the sponsorships we receive thoughtfully,
so we can deliver meaningful results with responsibility, transparency and rational thought.