.png?ph=9f3782e7fa)
EVENTS
———
———
———
———
-page-001.jpg)
———
-page-002.jpg)
———
———
———
———
———
News-Announcements
Aspida Zois (Shield of Life) has played a pioneering role in transforming the landscape of care and support for individuals with Inherited Metabolic Diseases (IMDs) in Cyprus. As the only patient organisation in Cyprus dedicated exclusively to IMDs, Aspida Zois has bridged critical gaps in care, awareness, and advocacy for a community often left in the shadows. Since its establishment in 2013, the organisation has gone beyond support services—driving systemic healthcare change that has had a lasting impact on patients and families across the country.
One of Aspida Zois’s most significant achievements was successfully advocating for the hiring of Cyprus’s first-ever paediatric metabolic physician, a milestone implemented in January 2022. This marked a historic turning point for timely diagnosis and treatment of IMDs on the island. The organisation also led a campaign to eliminate the financial burden on families for metabolic formulas—resulting in the government fully covering these essential treatments.
Aspida Zois continues to serve as a key connector between the patient community, healthcare professionals, and policymakers. It regularly organises high-quality conferences and webinars with participation from international and local experts—including metabolic doctors, dieticians, psychologists, and national health insurance representatives—in partnership with universities and the Cyprus Paediatric Society. These events are attended by families, clinicians, students, and academics, strengthening knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
The organisation’s current mission is to expand the national newborn screening program to include eight additional metabolic conditions. After persistent advocacy, this expansion has now been approved by the Council of Ministers and is awaiting implementation—a major step toward early diagnosis and prevention.
The president of Aspida Zois also holds several key roles in the rare disease community, serving as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Rare Diseases of the Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations, a Member of the National Committee for Rare Diseases of the Ministry of Health (representing The Cyprus Federation of Patients’ Associations), Assistant Secretary of the Board of the Cyprus Alliance of Rare Diseases (CARD), and as an ePAG representative for metabERN under EURORDIS.
* PETITION
Webinar Title - INBORN ERRORS OF METABOLISM: MORE KNOWLEDGE, BETTER FUTURE
Organizer: Association of Inherited Metabolic Diseases 'Aspida Zois' (Life Shield)
Co-organizer: Cyprus Pediatric Society
Link to register for participation: URL: https://aspidazois456.clickmeeting.com/iem/register
3 C.M.E points will be accredited by the CyprusMedical Association.
The conference is addressed to both health professionals and patients / patients' families/ Carers
Under the auspices:
Cyprus Alliance for Rare Disorders
Cyprus Dietetic and Nutrition Association (CyDNA)
Supporters
Lifepharma-Nutricia (MSJ Group)
Alma de Musica Music School
**The webinar will be recorded and will be live broadcasted on the Facebook page of Aspida Zois
Association Aspida Zois for patents with Inherited Metabolic Diseases, the University of Nicosia Medical School, the Association for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, and the Cyprus Paediatric Society invite you to the conference ‘Inherited Metabolic Diseases – New Developments’ on Satarday 13 Obtober 2018, Time: 14:00-19:00, Venue: M-203
On November 8, 2017, the "Aspida Zois" Association of Inherited Metabolic Diseases was invited by the International Center for Parliamentary Studies and participated in the Rare Diseases Europe Round Table 2017 in Brussels, Belgium. We would like to thank the RCB Bank for the financial support.
On 30/6/2016 Ms AMALIA DROUSIOTOU, MOTHER OF THE SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION "ASPIDA ZOIS" DR. ANTHI DROUSIOTOU PASSED AWAY; HER FAMILY DECIDED A PART OF THE MONEY GIVEN BY PUBLIC ON THE FUNERAL TO BE GIVEN TO THE ASSOCIATION "ASPIDA ZOIS" AND THE COUNCIL OF WELFARE OF ARCHIEBISOP MAKARIOS CHILDRREN HOSPITAL IN NICOSIA. The FUNERAL WAS HELD AT THE HOLY CHURCH OF SAINT GEORGIOS IN AGIOS DOMETIOS at 4:00 PM ON FRIDAY 07.01.2016.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FAMILY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ASPIDA ZOIS AND EXPRESS OUR SENSIRE CONDOLENCES
BOARD ASSOCIATION "ASPIDA ZOIS"
Onine Pettitions of Association "ASPIDA ZOIS":
1. An agreement between the Ministry of Health and specialized center abroad for a) cathode specialist in Cyprus to monitor patients with hereditary metabolic diseases and b) training of a physician (pediatrician) and a dietitian on the hereditary metabolic diseases in the same center . You can sign the online petition to the association for this purpose on the website:
2. Petition request for 100% financial coverage of nutritional formulations for special medical purposes (FSMPs) is crucial as there are just supplements, but they provide the main source of nutrition for these patients as most foods are excluded from the diet because of the strict diet low protein that follow (no meat, no fish, no legumes, no dairy products, to name a few). It is an inalienable right of patients to have adequate, equitable access to health care, without additional financial burdens. Without the administration of the formulations of these patients can suffer malnutrition and this can lead to multiple and serious health problems. - You can sign the online petition to the association for this purpose on the website:
https://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/400/934/182/#sign
3 MAY 2016 (11: 00-17: 00)
DAY SOCIAL NETWORKING
First Municipal Market of Lemesos (Pantopouleion)
The Municipality, as part of the actions of the program "Social Work Street" and the Multipurpose Centre Agios Ioannis Merciful, multidisciplinary exhibition organized social programs and volunteer groups active in Limassol, Friday 13/05/2016 at the First Municipal Market of Lemesos (Pantopouleion).
Through the report sought to networking and cooperation between institutions, with the aim of maximizing its recovery.
The exhibition was open to all public and particularly for social welfare professionals, students / only three schools humanities and social sciences, parents, teachers, guidance counselors and people who work or volunteer working in public or semi-public agencies and NGOs.
Guests / only three had the opportunity to talk with representatives of organizations involved including the Association of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Aspida Zois"
19 MARCH 2015 (12: 00-18: 30)
Association Conference "Krikos Zois"
Byzantine Museum
Thessaloniki
Greece
krikoa zois press (Autosaved)-2.doc (561152)
3rd ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND ELECTION 2H GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PATIENTS AND FRIENDS 12 DEKEMVRIOTH 2015
Dear Friends and Members of the Association "Aspida Zois"
We would like to inform you that Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 15:30 at the Institute of Neurology and Genetics was held the 3rd General Assembly and the 2nd Electoral General Meeting of the Association "Shield Life"
After the Electoral Assembly established the five-member Board elected, and we would like to inform you that the members making up the new board of directors are
President: Marios Vakanas
Vice President: Vasilis Prodromou
Secretary: Christina Aristotelous
Treasurer: Vaso Tikkou
Member: Giorgos Theodorou
Agenda regarding GA - December 12, 2015
15: 30-16: 00 Registration Members
16: 00-16: 15 Action Report of the Board
16: 15-16: 25 Information on the balance sheet of the Association and Presentation of Financial Statements
16: 25-16: 35 Future activities of the Association and Contributions
16: 35-16: 45 Discussion
16: 45-17: 00 Electoral General Assembly - Elections Board
TRANSLATION MANUAL "glutaric aciduria TYPE 1" ONE GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND PATIENTS - October 2015
This guide is based on the manual entitled "Glutarazidurie Typ 1 - Ein Leitfaden fur Eltern und Patienten" with the permission of the authors that appear on page 10 of the manual. The authors gave their approval for translation into Greek without being able to check the precision and accuracy of the translation.
Thank scientific team of the Department of Inherited Metabolic Nosimaton Hospital of Heidelberg, especially Prof. Dr. Stefan Kolker, the willing and heartfelt response to our request to be translated into Greek in this manual to make it accessible to many Cypriot children and Greek children suffer from glutaric aciduria type I.
We would also like to thank the Nationwide Alliance for Rare Diseases "CARD", and especially the Executive Director, Dr Androulla Eleftheriou, for the sponsorship for the translation and publication of this manual, as well as dear contributor Dr. Anthi Drousiotou and Dr. Persephone Avgoustidou Savopoulou the editing of this publication.
We hope this guide will be a useful tool that will help both patients and their parents and health professionals in the treatment of glutaric aciduria type I.
Marios Vakanas
Chairman of the Board of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Aspida Zois"
08 July 2015 (19:00)
CDA Charity Fashion Show
Cultural Center Panos Solomonides in Limassol
"CREATE FOR LOVE"
The CDA College presents dimiourgeies of the branches Fashion Design, Interior Design, Beauty and Hairdressing, to support the Community Grocery Limassol and the Association "SHIELD LIFE" for patients with Hereditary Metabolic Diseases.
Propolis tickets priced at 10 euros. information 77770232
Aspida Zois @ CDA CHARITY FASHION SHOW
Posted by Aspida Zois on Wednesday, 8 July 2015
CDA CHARITY FASHION SHOW - ΟΛΑ ΤΑ ΕΣΟΔΑ ΣΤΟ ΣΥΝΔΕΣΜΟ ΑΣΠΙΔΑ ΖΩΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΣΤΟ ΚΟΙΝΩΤΙΚΟ ΠΑΝΤΟΠΩΛΕΙΟ ΛΕΜΕΣΟΥ
Posted by Aspida Zois on Wednesday, 8 July 2015
CDA COLLEGE FASHION SHOW 8.7.2015.mp3 (1295673)
29 MAY 2015 (12: 00-18: 00)
Low Protein Cooking Session
restaurant Karatello
Limassol
MARCH 21, 2015 (12: 00-18: 00)
Association Conference "Krikos Zois"
Olympic Museum (former Museum of Sports), Leoforos September 3 & St. Demetrios
Thessaloniki
Greece
Kings Avenue Mall, Paphos
EXPRESSION OF LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE suffering from rare inherited metabolic disorders ON SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2015 IN KINGS AVENUE MALL IN PAPHOS. START TIME 11:00 AM
10 MARCH 2015
EKPROSOPON MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION "SHIELD LIFE" THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF HEALTH, PROFESSOR DR. FILIPPOS Patsalas ON 03/10/2015
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
13 DECEMBER 2014
Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia
The Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 15:00 held at the Institute of Neurology and Genetics Annual General Meeting of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Shield Life"
The day-long Layout issues were:
Report Board actions
Information on the balance sheet of the Association and Presentation of Financial Statements
Future activities of the Association and Contributions
Discussion
Attached
Daily General Assembly Association Order "Shield Life" on 12.13.2014
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 131214.pdf (66276)
PANCYPRIAN PEDIATRIC CONGRESS
8-9 November 2014
Hotel Adams Beach, Ayia Napa
At the invitation of the President of the Paediatric Society Dr. Cyprus. To Association of Patients with Hereditary Metabolic Diseases "Life Shield" parevethike the festival to honor Agia Marina in Agia Marina Xyliatos in Nicosia Wednesday, July 16th 2014. The association "Shield Life" sale of hand-made and dishes for assistance from the Fund of.
EKPROSOPON MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION "SHIELD OF LIFE" WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH ON 06/27/2014
On June 27, 2014 at 15.30 a meeting of representatives of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Shield Life" with the Ministry of Health representatives.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Health Dr. Olga Kalakouta. On behalf of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Shield Life" was attended by: Dr. Anthi Drousiotou (Scientific Consultant Association and Director of Biochemical Genetics Department at the Institute of Neurology and Genetics), Marios Vakanas (Association President), Christina Aristototelous (Club Secretary), Vaso Ttikkou (Association Treasurer).
The meeting highlighted the need to create infrastructure for Hereditary Metabolic Diseases and the creation of clinical Inherited Metabolic Diseases, debate on the need sponsorship medical amino acid preparations to be administered to patients with RMN and disposition of drugs in patients by RMN of the medical services. also discussed the need for expanded neonatal control the RMN since currently only Fainlketonouria check with neonatal testing all RMN present (> 500), and epanatonisi necessity clinic Inherited Metabolic Diseases to be able to manage apotelesmaika incidents will diagnozontai with neonatal testing.
FEAST FOR PRICE OF SAINTS HARMLESS TO Kivides LIMASSOL - 27/04/2014
On 21 March the Association "ASPIDA ZOIS" has been approved as a member of the European Organisation for Rare Diseases "EURORDIS '
THE CLUB "SHIELD LIFE" HAS BECOME THE THN HIGH PROTECTION OF FIRST MAIN ANTRIS ANASTASIADI ON 20/03/2014
On March 20, 2014 at 10:30 a meeting of representatives of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Shield Life" with the First Lady Andri Anastasiades
On September 27, 2013 at 18:30 successfully held the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Patients and Friends of Inherited Metabolic Diseases "Shield Life" for the year 2013 with a quorum of members of the Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
The first General Assembly have parevrethei 26 persons have sent proxies 19 members defining their dealer. Total attendance (including members who have sent proxies): 45 people
OBJECTIVES RAISED IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PATIENTS AND FRIENDS inherited metabolic disorders "ASPIDA ZOIS"
Arranging a meeting with relevant government agencies to analyze the association requests
leaflet bulletin on disclosure of Association, the objectives and the demands of
Conference Planning for autumn 2014
