Puttinu Cares awarded European Citizen's Prize 2013

Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group was awarded the European Citizen's Prize 2013 during a ceremony at Europe House in Valletta this evening.
The support group is one of 43 winners of the prize, which was launched by the European Parliament in 2008 to recognise exceptional achievements by Europeans.
 
Puttinu Cares was jointly nominated for this year's European Parliament Citizen's Prize by MEP David Casa and MEP Joseph Cuschieri, both signatories of the respective Citizen's Prize nomination form.
 
The national jury that evaluated the nominee was made up of MEPs Claudette Abela Baldacchino, David Casa, Joseph Cuschieri, Roberta Metsola and Marlene Mizzi.
 
Casa addressed those present at the ceremony, saying: "Puttinu Cares is an inspirational organisation that concretely helps Maltese families during what must be the most difficult time of their lives. They are most deserving of our praise and admiration and indeed of the award we are here to present them with today. Puttinu Cares accomplishes a lot, affecting people's lives in a big way. Let this be an opportunity for us all to reflect on the various ways in which we can contribute to the communities we live in and to those in need."
 
Cuschieri, on his part, said: "Ever since Puttinu Cares was set up in 2002, its members never stopped working hard to improve the environment in which children are given treatment, and to raise the necessary funds every so often. Our sense of solidarity as a united country reflects the determination of the Maltese and Gozitan people to help each other whenever and wherever necessary. The work and determination of the Puttinu Cares volunteers - who have managed to win the support of every sector of society - serve as an example to us all; I am convinced that they will continue to do so in the future. The joy and satisfaction of solidarity are immeasurable and timeless."
 
Puttinu Cares co-founder Rennie Zerafa - who received the award together with fellow co-founder Dr Victor Calvagna - commented: "Looking back, and seeing how much the support group has grown, I have to say that the success of the foundation is based on three fundamental principles: mutual respect for each other and above all giving dignity to each patient by working hard to alleviate some of their suffering, honesty and maintaining transparency in whatever we do, and being able to select the right volunteers who believe in the foundation's principles and values; it is thanks to our volunteers' talents that we have managed to honour our country. Working together as a team, we have fought hard for what we believed in, in a bid to achieve our goals."
 
The European Citizen's Prize was launched as a means of recognising exceptional achievements by Europeans, such as activities that facilitate cross-border cooperation within the EU or promote better mutual understanding and closer integration between citizens and member states, or day-to-day activities reflecting the values enshrined in the EU's charter of fundamental rights.
 
Puttinu Cares Children's Cancer Support Group was officially set up in 2002. As a non-governmental, non-profit making organisation, it aims to represent the needs of children affected by cancer and their families, campaigns for the provision of a coordinated network of care and support, promotes models of good care and practice, supports families, enhances the knowledge and skills of professional carers, and assists affected children by improving the environment in which they are treated, and raises funds. The Puttinu Cares team and staff help and guide parents to deal with the ordeal ahead, and for this purpose it provides apartment accommodation in the UK for up to six families while their child is receiving treatment.