Pro Bono Humanum award: Greece 2013

MARIANNA V. VARDINOYANNIS

The multifaceted work of Mrs Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, in Greece and abroad, focuses on social issues such as human rights, the protection and health of children, the spread of humanism, education, culture of peace, the world cultural heritage, dialogue between cultures and sustainable development.
Founder and President of the Friends’ Association for Children with Cancer “ELPIDA”, founded in 1990 and the “Foundation for the Child and the Family” founded in 1997 and recently renamed “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation”. In 1999 she was named Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO. She is member in the Boards of international organizations and institutions such as the Library of Alexandria, Mentor Foundation Against Drugs, the Foundation “Light of Africa”, the Presidential Council of «Special Olympics Europe-Eurasia», etc
Born in Athens and raised in Hermione. She is married to businessman Mr. Vardis J. Vardinoyannis, President of Motor Oil, and has five children.
Together they have developed a great humanitarian and cultural work, both in Crete and Hermione where considered benefactors, and the rest of Greece and abroad. Mrs Vardinoyannis holds MRhil in Archaeology from the University of Sheffield, a degree in History of Art and Economics at USA universities.
Mrs Vardinoyiannis is Honorary Doctor of Law at the University of Sheffield, of Philosophy at London Metropolitan University and of Humanities at the American College Deree. She recently published the book “Approaching Women Identity: Inquiries in Minoan society”, based on a study in the context of graduate studies at the University of Sheffield and was presented officially in Paris to celebrate the 65th anniversary of UNESCO. For her contribution, Mrs Vardinoyannis has received many awards including: the Gold Cross of the Order of Benefaction of the Greek Republic, Knight of the Order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic, Athens Academy Award, Lady of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, «Paul Harris Fellow» of Rotary International, etc.
Some of Mrs Vardinoyannis’ major initiatives are:

• The construction of the Oncological Centre for Children “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – “Elpida”, the first Oncological Hospital for children in Greece, launched in October 2010 and offered the state to provide access to all children in need. In recognition of her offer, the State named the Hospital “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis”.
• The creation of the first large-scale Volunteer Bank for Bone Marrow Donors in Greece.
• The creation of the Unit of Bone Marrow Transplantation at Children’s Hospital “Aghia Sophia”, where520 children with neoplastic diseases were transplanted and won a chance in life.
• The creation of the Hostel “Elpida” which has hosted more than 750 families of children living out of town who are being treated at the Unit, and now in the Hospital. The hostel though continues to offer valuable services, hospitality, psychological support, a variety of activities and courses for children and parents.
• The reconstruction of the houses of the village Makistos in Ilia, which was completely destroyed by fire in 2007, now relives after the donation of the family Vardinoyannis and care for the immediate construction of houses.
• The creation of the Chair of Hellenes Abroad and the Library “John P. Vardinoyannis” at New York University, and the academic seat ‘Konstantinos Karamanlis’ for Greek and European studies at Tafts University.
• The establishment of the Centre for Hellenistic Studies in the Library of Alexandria in Egypt.
• Support for vulnerable social groups.