Cancer affects thousands of Cypriot families each year. From diagnosis and treatment to recovery and, in many cases, long-term care for those in the advanced stages of the illness, patients and their loved ones rely on a broad network of services that extend far beyond hospital walls. Much of this support is delivered at home by dedicated professionals and volunteers who provide not only medical care but also emotional and logistical assistance across the island.

However, these daily operations come with very real challenges, especially when it comes to mobility. Care teams conduct numerous daily visits to patients across Cyprus, often covering long distances. They are tasked with transporting medical equipment, providing on-site nursing, and even taking patients to and from hospitals. Their aim is to maintain a high quality of life for patients, one that minimizes disruption, reduces stress, and supports comfort in their familiar home environment.

When asked about the daily realities of delivering this care, Maria Ioannidou, the Chief Executive Officer at Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society, described a challenging landscape that requires both commitment and coordination.

“Our care teams travel across Cyprus every day to support people who may be isolated, immobile, or in urgent need. These visits aren’t just medical, they’re emotional too,” Ioannidou explained. 

We provide nursing care, physiotherapy, aromatherapy, and psychological and social support. We also transport patients to the hospital and deliver equipment like beds, wheelchairs, or oxygen. Whatever is needed to make their home feel safe and supported. It’s not just about treatment. For us, it’s about creating an environment where the patient feels calm, secure, and truly cared for, not just treated.”

The Cyprus Anti-Cancer Society has long been a cornerstone in providing comprehensive care to cancer patients across the island. Central to its mission is the Arodaphnousa Palliative Care Centre in Nicosia, the first and only facility of its kind in Cyprus. Arodaphnousa offers both inpatient and outpatient services, delivering holistic care that encompasses pain and symptom management, psychological and social support, physiotherapy, aromatherapy, and spiritual care.

Another admirable organisation making a profound impact is PASYKAF, the Cyprus Association of Cancer Patients and Friends. The need for reliable transportation is just as critical here, where nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, and social workers make dozens of home visits each day, supporting patients of all ages and at every stage of the illness. PASYKAF operates two dedicated Palliative Care Centers: PASYKAF and the EDEM Medical Center, alongside the Archangel Michael PASYKAF Hospice. Here, patients receive comprehensive care from a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals specializing in palliative care. 

Whether delivering palliative care, offering counselling, or helping with mobility and rehabilitation, PASYKAF’s teams rely on being able to reach people consistently and safely. 

“Our job is to reach people where they are. Αt home, often alone, often in need,”  said  Dr. Kyriakos Stylianides, Medical Director at PASYKAF. “We provide more than palliative home care; we bring comfort, dignity, and human connection. Our vehicles make this possible. They carry us to every corner of Cyprus, allowing us to be there not just as healthcare professionals, but as a lifeline, present, compassionate, and by their side when it matters most.”

Mobility is just as vital for NGOs like Little Heroes, which supports children with cancer and leukemia. The organisation offers psychological and financial assistance, helps families navigate the practical challenges of treatment, and ensures regular transport to hospitals and ongoing contact throughout each child’s journey.

“Every visit we make is a moment of connection, strength, and trust,” said a representative from Little Heroes. “These vehicles help us truly be there, when it matters most, not just to treat, but to stand beside each child and each family through their most difficult days.”

Taking all this into account, one thing becomes clear: transportation isn’t just a logistical detail; it’s a fundamental part of delivering care, providing dignity, and easing the burden for patients, caregivers, and families alike.

Curious to understand what motivated this initiative, we asked Martin Thorvaldsson, Head of Community at Exness, what drove the company to step in.

“It was really quite simple,” he said. “As soon as we learned about the need, we knew we could help. These organisations are doing incredible work, day in and day out, and a lack of transport shouldn't be the thing that slows them down. For us at Exness, being part of a community means showing up when it matters. Supporting the people around us, especially those going through something as difficult as cancer, is something we genuinely care about.”

For patients and caregivers, the benefit is immediate and tangible. A physiotherapist can arrive on time. A hospital bed or wheelchair is delivered without delay. A child doesn’t miss a vital therapy session. And the people who make it all happen can work with the tools they need.

As cancer diagnoses continue to rise in Cyprus, with more than 4,000 new cases every year, the work of these organisations becomes not only more essential, but also more complex. While the growing numbers point to improved detection and faster treatment, they also underscore the urgent need for resources that enable continuity of care.

Partnerships that address practical needs such as mobility and transportation are essential to ensuring that care remains consistent, accessible, and dignified. The 50 vehicles donated by Exness, now being deployed across the country, are not symbolic gestures. They are tools of care, vehicles of trust, and enablers of presence.

To learn more about these organisations or support their work:

• Cyprus Anticancer Society

• PASYKAF

• Little Heroes

For more on Exness’s social responsibility efforts, visit exness.org/social-responsibility