On the 22nd of July, at the Metropolitan Church of Agia Fotini in Nea Smyrni, in cooperation with the Municipality of Nea Smyrni, was the beginning of the 20th Torch Relay "The Flame of Love" organized every year by the Panhellenic Federation of Volunteer Blood Donors Associations (POSEA), which this year celebrates 20 years from its establishment.
Then, the "Flame of Love" was transferred to the central square and from there to the hall of the Municipal Council of Nea Smyrni for the welcome speeches of the authorities.
The Hellenic Red Cross, the Hellenic Police and the National Ambulance Service contributed to the transfer and overnight stay of the Flame of Love at the Town Hall of Palaio Faliro until the 23rd of July, when its sea journey began towards its first destination Xylokastro, Corinthia, through Corinth Canal, thanks to the cooperation of the Ministry of Mercantile Marine, the assistance of the Headquarters of the Coast Guard and the involvement of the Aegean Team.
The flame passed and "warmed" with the solidarity and teamwork of its volunteer blood donors many Greek cities until its final destination on the 30th of September in Corfu for the closing ceremony, the Amphictyony and the festivities of the 20th anniversary as of the first nationwide torch relay.
The purpose of the Panhellenic Voluntary Blood Donor Torch Relay is to raise the awareness of the public in terms of the voluntary blood donation, so that our country becomes self-sufficient in voluntary donated blood.
For us, at Vikos, it is a great pleasure to be part of this journey of love and compassion as gold sponsors. Since 2011, we have been supporting and "running" together, to keep the flame of life burning, to convey the message of blood donation. An action perfectly natural, as natural as drinking water.
Blood donation was, is and will always be, for us, a praise to the selfless offer to our fellow humans and contributing to showcasing its importance is the least we can do.