GREEK

Urgent Appeal for Stem Cell Donors

The families of four blood cancer patients have joined forces with the Leukaemia Cancer Society to urgently appeal for more people of Greek or Cypriot origin to register as stem cell donors.

All four patients need stem cell transplants to save their lives.

Enfield Recruitment Drive, on behalf of The Leukaemia Cancer Society on Saturday 26th March between 10pm-2pm.

Cockfosters FC, Chalk Lane, Cockfosters, Barnet EN4 9HZ

If you are aged between 16-to-55-year-olds have a simple cheek swab taken.

Please step forward, there aren’t many Greeks and Cypriots on the register and for that reason a number of individuals haven’t found a match so far. If you can’t get there, you can have a kit sent to your home. It’s so easy and takes next to no time.

There is nothing to fear, it is just a cheek swab, so nothing too intrusive. After two years of lateral flows and PCRs, a gentle cheek swab is nothing to worry about.

If you can, please do your part to help.

All nationalities welcome. You never know who you could be a match for! A simple cheek swab could save a life.

For more details contact The Leukaemia Cancer Society on 020 8374 4821 or 07872 633 508.

https://www.leukaemiacancersociety.org/become-donor

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer – those that affect the body’s bone marrow, blood or lymphatic system – such as leukaemia, myelome or lymphona. Yet, just 2% of the UK population is registered as potential blood stem cell donors. People from Cypriot, Greek and mixed ethnicity backgrounds are under-represented as donors.

Diversifying the register is extremely important to people from our community.

“We do wish more people would come forward; we do need a lot more Greek-Cypriot people. We are greatly under-represented on the register. The Mediterranean community is only a very small percentage of the British registry, a very small percentage. So, we need to do whatever we can to increase that and to make the register more diverse.” (Androulla Stylianou, Co-OrdinatorThe Leukaemia Cancer Society).

Urgent Stem Cell Transplant Needed to Save 24-Year-Old

(Click above article to learn about Alex and his search for a life-saving donor).


Article written by London Greek Radio

Alex Nicholson, 24 years-old, of English-Greek origin, urgently needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant to treat his blood cancer.

Alex was 18-years-old when he was diagnosed with a blood cancer called Classical Hodgkin’s Lymphoma 4B on April 8th, 2016, but began feeling unwell around 5 months before the official diagnosis.

He was a music technology student at Palmers College, USP College in Grays, Essex, and was studying for his exams when he was diagnosed and began treatment.

Now 24-years-old, Alex, from Basildon, Essex, has been battling his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for five years and has sadly relapsed six times after two failed stem cell transplants, a trial drug failure and endless chemotherapy sessions.

Alex undertook chemotherapy sessions and received the first stem cell transplant in November 2016 using his own cells.

There was only a 50 per cent chance that using his own stem cells would work and devastatingly, it didn’t.

Alex then relapsed in January 2017 and the cancer returned. The consultants contacted the register for stem cell donors but were unable to find a match for Alex.

The keen musician continued with his chemotherapy treatment until June 2017 and received his mum’s stem cells, with only a 50 per cent chance that it would work.

Sadly, his mum’s stem cells also failed.

Alex’s mum, Debbie Nicholson, 48, said: “He’s been through his cancer journey for the last 5 years. Alex was studying at college, he was studying music technology, throughout his treatment had home exams, he’s been able to do on-line help with his coursework, with his colleagues and his tutors. And he was able to get a very good mark, even though he was going through treatment. Alex has had two stem cell transplants, which is a little procedure that could give someone the chance of life. It’s collecting stem cells out of your blood, so it’s not anything to do with organs or anything like that, it’s just what your blood makes that the patient you match to, potentially be able to save their life”.

But sadly, the treatments failed to work and Alex’s cancer returned for a fourth time.

Then on January 27 last year, Alex was given a trial drug aimed at helping cure his cancer, but after three days, he became unwell and the drug didn’t work.

He went through a year of remission from June 2020 to August 2021 and recently Alex was told by his consultant that his Hodgkin’s lymphoma has returned and is sadly incurable.

Sarah Mallick, Fundraiser and Administrator at The Leukaemia Cancer Society told LGR, “This young man has spent nearly a quarter of his life battling blood cancer; he’s only 24 now. He was first diagnosed when he was 18. He has his whole life ahead of him, but he’s really running out of options and so we desperately need to find a stem cell donor for him as soon as possible.”

Alex is of English and Greek heritage and may need to rely on donors of mixed heritage to donate their stem cells as he has already had two failed transplants.

If someone is also half English and half Greek, like Alex, there would be a better chance of a tissue match to potentially cure him.

Androulla Stylianou, Co-ordinator at the charity told LGR’s Wish, “And because Alex is of mixed heritage Greek and English, the likelihood is that it’s someone from that heritage that will match him. But that does not mean that we don’t want just fully Greek people on the register, also English people. Because the match could be anybody Greek, English, or a mixture of the both. So we’re appealing to that group of people. This is Alex’s last chance. He has no other chance unless he finds a stem cell donor soon.”

There is a desperate need for stem cell and bone marrow donors, which could help save people’s lives – including Alex.

Sarah Mallick said, “And people might think a stem cell transplant, involves an operation, but actually for most people, it’s bit like a long version of giving blood. So it’s a matter of giving up a few hours at a hospital, and perhaps getting a bit bored and feeling a bit tired. But for the opportunity that you might be able to save a life.”

Androulla explained, “Whatever is taken from the donor that hopefully that we find goes on to a separator machine, and blood is taken from one hand, goes through the machine, where they take the cells that they need for the patient, and then it goes back through the other hand. So nothing is really taken and the cells that are taken are replenished, within a couple of days, so there is no risk to the donor.”

It’s easy to register as a donor, by going to The Leukaemia Cancer Society’s website, you can register to become a donor. After registering, a swab will be sent to you, where you swab inside your mouth and send it back to the charity.

If you’re a match, you’ll receive a call on how to give your stem cell or bone marrow – and it could save someone’s life.

Androulla Stylianou told Tony Neophytou’s Wish programme, “It is a very, very easy procedure, and your giving someone a chance of life. Alex is hanging on waiting for that last chance, waiting for the match to come forward. So, the more people that register, then greater the possibility of finding a donor for Alex.”

“It was an appeal for John Triteous that we heard and we went forward to give blood, and join the register ourselves. And that is what inspired, the Leukaemia Cancer Society to recruit Mediterranean donors, Greek-Cypriot, Turkish-Cypriot, to help save lives.

“It was a radio appeal which inspired the creation of The Leukaemia Cancer Society, and LGR actually.”

Every 20 minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with blood cancer – those that affect the body’s bone marrow, blood or lymphatic system – such as leukaemia, myelome or lymphona. Yet, just 2% of the UK population is registered as potential blood stem cell donors. People from Cypriot, Greek and mixed ethnicity backgrounds are under-represented as donors.

Diversifying the register is extremely important to people from our community.

“We do wish more people would come forward, we do need a lot more Greek-Cypriot people. We are greatly under-represented on the register. The Mediterranean community is only a very small percentage of the British registry, a very small percentage. So we need to do whatever we can to increase that and to make the register more diverse.”

“We are a very generous community, we are a giving people, a loving people; I think it’s just that people are unaware how simple a procedure it is. And maybe that deters them from coming forward. It is a very, very simple procedure that takes not too long at all of your time and a procedure that can potentially save a life of a young 24-year-old.”

For more information on how to become a donor, click here.

Or for more information on the charity, click here.

Alternatively, you can contact Androulla from Leukaemia Cancer Society on 07872 633508 or 020 8374 4821 for more details.


Article written by London Greek Radio

Greek singer Stefania on Thursday night qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest Final with her song Last Dance‘.

18-year-old Stefania Liberakakis had taken to the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam. She was born in Utrecht in the Netherlands to Greek parents from Sofiko Evrou in Greece.

‘Last Dance’ is a 80s slight retro-uptempo catchy song, current and mainstream. The Eurovision-friendly hit which has entered London Greek Radio playlists.

It a progressive well-built song, atmospheric and up-tempo on top of swirling hooks. Stefania dramatically drips over a cocktail of bass lines, scintillating strings and a “Ooh oh oh” refrain drives the up-beat vibes.

LGR’s Tony Neophytou said, “Last Dance is a really pretty song, very melodic. It is catchy and very captivating as a Eurovision song requires”.

The Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos and music production ARCADE, composed and produced the tune, with lyrics by Sharon Vaughn. Teaming up with creative director Fokas Evangelinos has certainly proved fruitful, and with his reputation as the innovative stage creator, Greece has an ace up their sleeve.

The hi-tech wizardry and green screen performance: the digital invisible dancers which look really cool. At one point Stefania climbs invisible stairs against a futouristic city landscape.

The four dancers, Giorgos Papadopoulos, Marcos Giakoumoglou, Nikos Koukakis and Kostas Pavlopoulos.

It is very slick and visually arresting, and unique than anything else in this year’s Eurovision line-up.

Mr Neophytou’s view, “Stefania’s teen pop looks, talent and telegenic, likeable, approachable personality, are good assets to this pop-package. The wink to the camera was a sweet touch”.

Of the 17 competing countries, Greece was one of the 10 that gained enough votes from professional juries and the public to advance to Saturday night’s sing-off.

Stefania sang fourth in the running order and gave a strong performance of the dance number.

The announcement of the 10 qualifying songs was a nail-biter, with Greece ninth to be announced.

This is the eleventh time that Greece has qualified for a Eurovision since 2008.

Bookmakers and fan polls had predicted that Greece would make it through this highly competitive semi-final.

Greek fashion designer Vrettos Vrettakos, fits Stefania into a violet glitter outfit, she’s got real teen pop star looks. The team consists too, of Giannis Mourikis, as the set designer. George Segredakis, who’s designed the costumes of the dancers. Asterman Company, who’s undertook the creation of graphics.

In 2016, Stefania represented The Netherlands at Junior Eurovision in Malta, as part of the three-piece girl group Kisses. Their upbeat song ‘Kisses and Dancin’ placed eighth in the contest.

Amongst the other qualifiers was Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears ‘Tout L’univers’ ballad number. The Icelandic song ’10 Years’ also qualified and is now sixth favourite to go the distance and win on Saturday.

The other qualifying songs were from San Marino, Moldova, Albania, Serbia, Finland, Portugal and Bulgaria.

Greece are at slot number #10, in the final. Meanwhile, Cyprus’ singer Elena Tsagrinou with ‘El Diablo’ has the honour of opening the night, slot #1. Elsewhere, UK’s James Newman with ‘Embers’ in the running order of 26 at slot number #9.

London Greek Radio wishes Stefania and Greece the best of luck in the Eurovision.

* Pic: Stefania celebrates after securing a place in the final in Rotterdam, in the second semi-final for the Eurovision Song Contest. 

Cyprus qualifies for 2021 Eurovision Final


Article written by Tony Neophytou

Tonight Greece compete in the Second Semi-Final of Eurovision which airs at 8pm BST.

18-year-old Stefania Liberakakis takes to the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam in her country of birth. She was born in Utrecht in the Netherlands to Greek parents from Sofiko Evrou in Greece.

She is a fresh, very talented young lady and ‘Last Dance’ is a really good 80’s retro up-tempo song. The radio-friendly hit, current, mainstream, which has entered London Greek Radio playlists.

It a progressive well-built song, atmospheric and up-tempo on top of swirling hooks. Stefania dramatically drips over a cocktail of bass lines, scintillating strings and a “Ooh oh oh” refrain drives the up-beat vibes. She is a very good vocalist and in rehearsals Stefania nails a big note at the end of this song.

She is likeable, amenable, telegenic, even gives a cheeky wink to camera, all in all, a lovely pop-package.

LGR’s Tony Neophytou said, “Last Dance is actually a pretty song, very melodic. It’s catchy and very captivating as a Eurovision song requires.”

The Eurovision veteran Dimitris Kontopoulos and music production ARCADE, composed and produced the tune, with lyrics by Sharon Vaughn. Teaming up with creative director Fokas Evangelinos has certainly proved fruitful, and with his reputation as the innovative stage creator, Greece has an ace up their sleeve.

The staging is immensely creative, with its hi-tech, green screen wizardry. The digital invisible dancers with hoodies or other bodily parts are fun elements, which look really cool. At one point Stefania climbs invisible steps, and there’s a bit Stefania and her dancers come together as song progresses.

It’s 80’s aesthetics with blues/purple neon and a city skyscraper, which works with the retro feel to this song.

The four dancers, confirmed as Giorgos Papadopoulos, Marcos Giakoumoglou, Nikos Koukakis and Kostas Pavlopoulos.

It is visually arresting, very different and unique than anything else in this year’s Eurovision line-up.

The Eurovision odds favouring Greece as 10th or so in winning outright, and 4th as a semi-final favourite to advance through to Saturday night.

It has been 8 years since Greece was a Top 10 in the finals, 2013’s, still-great ‘Alcohol is Free’. The team have pulled out all the stops to qualify and to conquer the left-side scoreboard.

In Mr Neophytou’s view, “The stage act is a very slick, professional, and the creativity is really good. It’s a catchy Eurovision song and enjoyable, let’s hope the public has the appetite to lap this up!”

Greek fashion designer Vrettos Vrettakos, fits Stefania into a violet glitter outfit, she’s got real teen pop star looks. The team consists too, of Giannis Mourikis, as the set designer. George Segredakis, who’s designed the costumes of the dancers. Asterman Company, who’s undertook the creation of graphics.

In 2016, Stefania represented The Netherlands at Junior Eurovision in Malta, as part of the three-piece girl group Kisses. Their upbeat song ‘Kisses and Dancin’ placed eighth in the contest.

The Top 10 qualifying countries are through to Saturday night’s sing-off.

Stefania performs in the running order of 17 at slot number #4.

London Greek Radio wishes Stefania and Greece the best of luck in the competition.


Article written by Tony Neophytou

Konstantinos Koufos

Privé Productions in association with Archway Sheet Metal Works present…

Konstantinos Koufos LIVE!


Η ΠΙΟ ΩΡΑΙΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΛΛΑΔΑ ΕΡΧΕΤΑΙ ΣΤΟ ΛΟΝΔΙΝΟ!


Friday 7th of July (London) at the 02 Academy Islington

Sunday 9th of July at the o2 Academy Birmingham


The long awaited Konstantinos Koufos will be live in the UK singing the biggest hits that took the world by storm!

With over 100 million YouTube views combined! Winner for best new comer mad awards and the smash hits that had the Greek world on their feet! Η Πιο Ωραία Στην Ελλάδα, Μετρώ Αντίστροφα (5,4,3,2,1)Τα Ποτήρια Μας Ψηλά and his brand new smash hit Κέντρο Διερχομένων!

Also DJ Andreas Michaelides on the decks!


Don’t miss it get your Tickets now for only £25.50!

Tickets available for London & Birmingham:

Online @ Ticketmaster <— Click Here
Rumours Brasserie in Southgate
Prive Productions 07956242473 | info@prive.co.uk


Prive Productions in association with Archway Sheet Metal Works!

Sponsored by Andrews Shipping & Forwarding, Brunswick Garage, Nicholas James and Rumours Brasserie!

Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult over 18 at all times. Minimum Age Restriction: 8


 


Article written by

On Saturday 29th October, we had the pleasure of welcoming Giorgos Papadopoulos to the LGR airwaves for an interview with radio presenter, Paris Tsoulfas.

Giorgos Papadopoulos is a singer of Greek Cypriot origin.  After three successful EPs he released his first album and has since gained huge popularity and following in Cyprus, Greece & the UK. Whilst we all know Papadopoulos as a talented singer, he is also a songwriter and has written songs for many popular Greek artists, including Helena Paparizou, Giorgos Mazonakis, Tamta, Kostas Martakis, Panos Kiamos, Kaiti Garbi, Melina Aslanidou and Notis Sfakianakis to name a few.

To listen to the interview, which includes chat about Papadopoulos latest song, “Oloi Mou Lene” and talk of recent collaborations with Natasa Theodoridou and Melina Aslanidou, listen below:


Article written by London Greek Radio

 

The Christmas Countdown Party

The Christmas Countdown Party

Join us on Friday 9th December 2016 for our Christmas Countdown Party @ Club Azure in Enfield.

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Our DJs Andreas Demetriou & DJ Sooty will be on the decks! They will be mixing non-stop Greek & English hits, all night long. Fusing all the best Modern Laika, Greek Club, Greek Classics, English club anthems, RnB & Garage.

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Doors open at 9pm and we’ll keep you dancing till 3am. For table reservations call Club Azure on 07789 488470.

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Book your tickets NOW!

[Strictly over 18s. NO ID, NO ENTRY, NO TRAINERS].

To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: LGR Club Nights Presents… The Christmas Countdown Party tickets from Skiddle.

Sell tickets online: Skiddle Promotion Centre


Article written by London Greek Radio
Start Of Summer Party 2016

Start Of Summer Party 2016

TAKE NOTE! On Friday 8th July, LGR Club Nights are hosting another epic Greek style party!! 

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Come and join us for “The Start of Summer Party” a night full of Greek music.

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This will be a summer party like no other featuring our very own DJ’s Andreas Michaelides & Andreas Demetriou. They will be mixing non-stop Greek & English hits, all night long. Fusing all the best Modern Laika, Greek Club, Greek Classics, English club anthems, RnB & Garage.

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This event will be held at: Club Azure, 8-10 Sliver Street, Enfield, EN1 3ED. Doors open at 9pm and the fun won’t stop till 3am.

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If the dance floor gets too hot for you – you can take your drink to the roof garden where there will be Greek souvlakia for sale provided by Taste Of Cyprus Cheshunt.

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Grab your tickets below for only £10.

Please note: no ID no entry. No trainers allowed.

To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: LGR Presents… The Start Of Summer Party tickets from Skiddle.

Powered by: Skiddle Promotion Centre


Article written by London Greek Radio
Party Like The Greeks @ Club Azure

Party Like The Greeks @ Club Azure

On Friday 19th February, LGR Club Nights are hosting another epic Greek style party!!

Come along and PARTY LIKE THE GREEKS @ Club Azure in Enfield.

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This will be our very first party 0f 2016.

For the first time ever at an LGR event, DJ Avgoustinos will be on the decks, alongside regular DJ Andreas Demetriou.

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They will be mixing non-stop Greek & English hits, all night long. Fusing all the best Modern Laika, Greek Club, Greek Classics, English club anthems, RnB & Garage.

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Standard tickets for this event are £10.00 – Book yours and join us for our very first party of 2016!!

Address: 8-10 Silver St, Enfield EN1 3ED

For table bookings, please call Club Azure directly on: 020 8363 1150

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Click here to book your tickets now:

To buy tickets for this event please visit our events page: Party Like The Greeks tickets from Skiddle.

Sell tickets online: Skiddle Promotion Centre

 


Article written by London Greek Radio

A joint application from the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots has been put forward to grant Halloumi the same protected status as champagne or Parma ham, meaning only cheese produced on Cyprus could be called halloumi or hellim.

The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has offered Greek and Turkish Cypriots his full backing in an attempt to save their brand name in the UK.

The British government are contemplating changing the famous brand of Halloumi/Helim in support of the British halloumi producers.
However, the president of European commissions has hailed the Island’s government by defending their cheese, he said: “The halloumi affair is proof that the island’s leaders are committed to reunifying Cyprus”.

Euripides Evriviades, Cyprus’s High Commissioner in London, vowed: “We will fight to the bitter end to secure our halloumi hellim, a truly Cyprus product.” Hellim is the Turkish Cypriot name for the national cheese.

A columnist from the Cyprus Weekly has made their feelings clear and fired this message: “We can tolerate drunken UK tourists in Ayia Napa and British troops on Cyprus soil, but we will not surrender our soft cheese colonial rule”.

In 2013 Greek Cypriots exported £58 million worth of Halloumi, with Britain accounting a third of that sum. This proves Halloumi is more than just cheese. It represents Cyprus and is accountable for a high amount of their profits.


Article written by Chris Charalambous