Orchid Walk 2013 – News Update
A lot of people have been hard at work preparing for the Orchid Walk 2013 and we are pleased to be able to bring you news of organisors and also what they are planning.
WHO ARE WE
Cancer Research Fund (KAV) was established by Prof. Mustafa Djamgoz in 2002. The primary goal of KAV is to make the cancer diseases well known to the public, increase awareness about the ways of protection and to support research in TRNC and in the Imperial College, London.
WHAT WE DO
KAV collaborates with various universities and institutions to reach the society widely. We support research mainly in breast cancer but also in cancers of prostate and lung. We have patented a specific form of a sodium channel that is responsible for aggressive form of breast cancer. Using a ‘magic bullet’, specific for the sodium channel found in breast cancer non-toxic treatment of metastasis could be possible. This study has been achieved by the support of our sister charity Pro-cancer Research Fund (PCRF), based in the Imperial College, London. Furthermore, we collaborate with Cyprus International University (CIU), Istanbul University, Bogazici University, Kadir Has University Medical Faculty and Inonu University.
ACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS
We try to reach the society and explain cancer to all ages as a result of various studies accomplished all over TRNC. KAV has provided scholarships to 6 scientists to contribute to cancer research and has published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Furthermore, we have successfully completed 2 UNOPS projects where presence of carcinogenic heavy metals in Cyprus soil was investigated. We have also accomplished an EU-supported project where cancer was explained in the form of a documentary and copied and distributed to 25,000 students whose rate of awareness was measured by statistical analysis. The findings were shared with the society and authorities through media and public seminars.
ORCHID WALK IN MEDIA
Each year local newspapers, magazines, TV channels follow our events and give remarkable place in their publications and broadcasts, respectively. The Gancelli program presented by Leman Cankat guests Prof Djamgoz and his team as well as follows the walk from the beginning till the end. Furthermore BRTK follows the walk with its team and broadcasts the program on TV. We also reach the expats living in the country through internet, social network sites and blogs.
10th ORCHID WALK
Organizing the 10th annual Orchid Walk is a sign of our confident and solid steps in this path that we have established. The first Orchid Walk that started in 2004 with 150 individuals has been extended to 650 attendees in 2012 where 30 were Turkish Cypriot and British businessmen from the UK and 100 expats living in Cyprus. We aim for 1000 attendees for the 10th Orchid Walk that will be held on 24th February 2013. With the pride of the 10th Anniversary we are organizing various activities. In this respect, seminars for the society and the specialists, a joyful parade in Nicosia to indicate our strength and unity, arts and photograph exhibition as well as music show will be some of our activities.
SPONSORSHIPS
The main sponsor of 10th Orchid Walk is going to be Turkish Airlines (THY). We are very proud that THY has chosen KAV to sponsor 
as a non-profit organization.
As a sponsor, you will be able to reach locals and expats living in TRNC as well as attendees from UK and Turkey from different nationalities. Furthermore, your logo will appear on the newsletters that will be freely distributed three times a year. Finally, you will carry your name all around the world with the help of visual media and the KAV web site.
PLATINUM SPONSORSHIP: 10,000 TL
(The logo will appear on the newsletters that will be published and freely distributed 3 times a year, KAV website and links as well as on half-page of the Orchid Walk leaflet. The name will also be listed on the top of ‘Thank you’ list)
GOLD SPONSORSHIP: 5000 TL
(The logo will appear on the newsletters that will be published and freely distributed 3 times a year, KAV website and links as well as on quarter-page of the Orchid Walk leaflet. The name will also be listed on the ‘Thank you’ list)
SILVER SPONSORSHIP: 1000 TL
(The logo will appear on the newsletters that will be published and freely distributed 3 times a year, KAV website and links as well as on 1/8-page of the Orchid Walk leaflet. The name will also be listed on the ‘Thank you’ list)
BRONZE SPONSORSHIP: 500 TL
(The logo will appear on the newsletters that will be published and freely distributed 3 times a year, KAV website and links as well as on 1/12-page of the Orchid Walk leaflet. The name will also be listed on the ‘Thank you’ list)
OTHER SPONSORSHIPS
Gala Dinner and music
Gala dinner raffle gifts
Balloon Helium filling (1000)
Raincoats (1000)
Printing (Newsletters, leaflets, billboards)
Commercials (Visual and published media)
Kids Orchid walk Archeo-tent project (T-shirts for children and drawing material)
Exhibition (photograph and drawings)
For those readers who want more information on the Orchid Walk 2013, please contact Sabire Djamgoz on sabire.djamgoz@btopenworld.com or Rezan Fahrioglu Yamaci on rezanfahrioglu@yahoo.com
We are also pleased to be able to show a small selection of photographs showing the first meeting of the organisers and some pictures from last year’s walk. I was also able to witness last year’s Orchid Walk and write about it in the Cyprus Observer and this article will be republished on these pages soon.
By Chris Elliott
