HRH CROWN PRINCESS KATHERINE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE OCCASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHILDREN WITH CANCER

Belgrade 10 February 2003 - HRH Crown Princess Katherine spoke today at the press conference at the Institute for oncology and radiology, on the occasion of the International day of children with cancer.

Association of parents “Always with the children” and paediatric department for oncology who organized this press conference, wanted to inform the public about their activities in helping parents to approach the treatments and use the right care for their children.

First spokesman who addressed the journalists was the president of the Association “Always with the children” Mrs. Mileva Licanin who presented the work of this association established in 1991, as well as all the problems they are facing. One of the biggest problems is the lack of accommodation for sick children and their parents from the countryside who are coming for the treatments to Belgrade.

Then Princess Katherine addressed the present and said that during her humanitarian work she has seen great tragedies and touching destinies, but that she is always equally affected when she sees that children's health is in endangered.

«I know that to you, parents, it was very hard to be a witness of your child having cancer and to accept the fact that there is a hard battle ahead of you. I am happy to see that you have found the way to organize yourselves and to give a chance to each other, first of all to your children».

Director of Serbian Institute for oncology and radiology Dr. Zoran Bekic said that thanks to a great number of donations, children ward was renovated in April last year and that since then there was no child's life lost, which is encouraging information.

The guests then visited the children located on the oncology department.