World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day: Hellenic Red Cross awards its highest honorary distinction to the internationally acclaimed Greek heart surgeon Mr. Auxentio Kalagko
The World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day on 8 May was celebrated with an official event organized by the Hellenic Red Cross (HRC) at the Athens Concert Hall. The HRC’s highest distinction of the gold cross with a golden laurel wreath was awarded to the internationally acclaimed Greek heart surgeon, professor Auxentio Kalagko.
Mr. Kalagkos is the founder of the charity «Coeurs pour tous» as well as the director of the cardio surgery clinic of the University Hospital of Geneva. He has been described as a "missionary of medicine" and a "guardian angel" of children with heart diseases. Mr. Kalagkos has treated more than 14,000 children globally for free, giving priority to countries which are affected by extreme poverty, wars and natural disasters.
The Red Cross Day event was attended by distinguished state representatives, the religious leadership, ambassadors, representatives of the armed and security forces, local authorities, entrepreneurs, ICRC and IFRC, as well as dozens of Hellenic Red Cross volunteers.
The President of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dr. Antonios Avgerinos presented and handed the honorary distinction to Mr. Auxentio Kalagko, noting that «the Hellenic Red Cross acts according to the seven Fundamental Principles of the great ideologist Henry Dunant and creates voluntary resources governed by self-control, confidence, social awareness and industriousness. "
Dr. Auxentios Kalagkos, visibly touched, thanked warmly the President of the HRC for this honorary award and expressed his intention to actively support and cooperate with the Hellenic Red Cross, particularly in the health care and protection of destitute children.
Mr. Kalagkos is the founder of the charity «Coeurs pour tous» as well as the director of the cardio surgery clinic of the University Hospital of Geneva. He has been described as a "missionary of medicine" and a "guardian angel" of children with heart diseases. Mr. Kalagkos has treated more than 14,000 children globally for free, giving priority to countries which are affected by extreme poverty, wars and natural disasters.
The Red Cross Day event was attended by distinguished state representatives, the religious leadership, ambassadors, representatives of the armed and security forces, local authorities, entrepreneurs, ICRC and IFRC, as well as dozens of Hellenic Red Cross volunteers.
The President of the Hellenic Red Cross, Dr. Antonios Avgerinos presented and handed the honorary distinction to Mr. Auxentio Kalagko, noting that «the Hellenic Red Cross acts according to the seven Fundamental Principles of the great ideologist Henry Dunant and creates voluntary resources governed by self-control, confidence, social awareness and industriousness. "
Dr. Auxentios Kalagkos, visibly touched, thanked warmly the President of the HRC for this honorary award and expressed his intention to actively support and cooperate with the Hellenic Red Cross, particularly in the health care and protection of destitute children.