THE „WE ARE“ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT OF THE ONCOLOGY CENTER „UNI HOSPITAL“ TURNED INTO A REAL SPORTS CELEBRATION

The „We are“ volleyball tournament of the Oncology Center „Uni Hospital“ turned into a real sports celebration. The event is the sixth of the „Winners“ initiative, which supports cancer patients and provides up-to-date information on malignant diseases and their treatment, and is organized by the Oncology Center at Uni Hospital Medical Center Eight teams tested their strength and desire to win in the spirit of sportsmanship in the „We Are“ volleyball tournament, organized by the Oncology Center of the Uni Hospital Medical Center. The sports forum brought together cancer patients, their relatives, doctors and members of the public to remind that prevention, timely diagnosis and treatment can turn patients into winners, optimally preserving their quality, style and rhythm of life.

The start of the sports competition was given by Dr. Rositsa Krasteva, head of the Oncology Center „Uni Hospital“ and initiator of the campaign and the event: „Cancer is a diagnosis and you can live with this diagnosis, you have to live, that’s why friends help. Everyone is a winner, especially those who make it all the way. But without friends and without help and support things happen much more difficult. We are all here because we support and know that nowadays, even with this diagnosis, life can go on in the most wonderful way,“ shared Dr. Krasteva. The previous winners of the volleyball tournament – the „Saints“ – defended their championship again this year and their team ranked first. In the name of their long-time captain – Petyo Petkov – a special award was established, the winner of which will be the people who support patients diagnosed with cancer. „Veterans“ came second in the tournament, and „Cosmic Dives“ and „Saints – friends“ came third and fourth. All teams and participants showed enviable skills and desire to play on the field, regardless of their experience and age. This did not go unnoticed by the audience and the amazing cheerleaders from the Oncology Center team, who did not stop supporting the players. Among the guests and friends of the sports event were Dr. Mihail Iliev, a long-time doctor of the football team PFK Levski (Sofia) and the national team of Bulgaria, the former volleyball player and national player Nayden Naydenov, who became the captain of the medical team „Calypso“. The legendary goalkeeper Johnny Velinov also honored the event, and his son joined the Uni Hospital team. The judge of the tournament was Rositsa Angelkova, Pan Volley coach and international judge. Students from the capital’s 125 secondary school with principal Venelina Nikolova, as well as the girls’ team from VC „Pan Volei“ also participated in the tournament. The host of the event was Ivo Raichev from Darik Cafe.

Efforts and diligence were not spared by many of the employees of the „Uni Hospital“ MBAL, who traditionally participate in the sports competition: Dr. Zahari Zahariev, head of the Radiotherapy Department, Nikolay Gospodinov, director of „Financial Activities“ of the hospital, the doctors – Dr. Tsvetan Tatarov, Dr. Nikolay Tolev, Dr. Sava Bakalov, the physicist Hristo Delov, the X-ray laboratory technician Oktai Ismailov. The „Winners“ strategic initiative of the Oncology Center „Uni Hospital“ is the first pro-social campaign of an oncology center organized in our country. She continues her tradition of supporting her patients in the manifestation of their adaptive qualities and the development of positive strategies to cope with the consequences of the disease, as well as to inform patients and the public that malignant diseases are curable and patients with this diagnosis can lead fully normal lifestyle. Among the supporters of the initiative are the Municipality of Panagyurishte, VC „Pan Volei“, Commandery „St. Prince Boris I“ from the Order of the Knights Templar of Jerusalem in Bulgaria, the TV show „Speed“, „Darik Cafe“, Rolling Dogs.