The Children's Medical Fund was established in 1988 when Philoptochos expanded its Cardiac program to include all life-threatening illnesses, including AIDS, Cancer, kidney and liver ailments, juvenile diabetes, etc. A major luncheon is sponsored by a different Metropolis biennially to support this program. More than one million dollars has been contributed to provide medical assistance to critically ill children, including Greek, Greek- American and Orthodox, whose families are unable to afford appropriate and necessary treatment. The Fund also provides financial support for innovative research programs to pediatric hospitals throughout the United States.

The National Philoptochos Society's Tenth Children's Medical Fund Luncheon to be held on December 3, 2005 in Dallas, Texas

Under the High Patronage of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and with the spiritual blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, the Metropolis of Denver Philoptochos will host the National Philoptochos Society's Tenth Children's Medical Fund Luncheon on Saturday, December 3, 2005, at the Westin Galleria Hotel in Dallas, Texas. This luncheon will benefit leading children's hospitals in the Metropolis of Denver including Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Texas; Cook Children's Medical Center of Fort Worth, Texas; Children's Mercy Hospital of Kansas City, Missouri; St. Luke's Children's Hospital of Boise, Idaho; Children's Hospital of Austin, Texas and the National Philoptochos Children's Medical Fund. Also, a portion of the proceeds will be allocated to assist with the medical needs of Orthodox children in Ethiopia, where responding to the HIV/ AIDS crisis is of the highest priority.

Georgia Skeadas, National Philoptochos President, notes, “This particular undertaking provides critical support for ailing children and brings comfort and renewed hope for a healthy and happy future for so many families. The benevolent works of Philoptochos are a continuation of Christ's ministry on earth.

The National Philoptochos Children's Medical Fund affords us an opportunity to return to God a portion of the time, talents and resources with which He has gifted us by honoring the precious gift of children.” The National Philoptochos Board extends its gratitude to the chairpersons and the exceptional women of the Metropolis of Denver for their labor of love. This extraordinary event would not be possible without Luncheon General Chairman Martha Stefanidakis, Metropolis of Denver Philoptochos President; Co-Chairmen Elaine Cladis, National Philoptochos Secretary and Cindy Demeris, National Philoptochos Board member; Host City Co-Chairmen Helen Carnegis, Metropolis of Denver Philoptochos Board member and Elaine Atalis, Dallas Chapter President; and the committees and volunteers, locally and nationally who have worked unceasingly.

To generously support the National Philoptochos Children's Medical Fund so that these children's lives will be filled with hope and promise for a brighter future , checks should be made payable to “National Philoptochos Society”, earmarked for the Children's Medical Fund. Include your name and address. All checks should be mailed to:

National Philoptochos Society, Attention: Helen Lavorata, Director, 345 East 74th Street, New York, New York 10021

For further inquiries on this luncheon, contact Helen Lavorata at 212-744-4390 or PhilosNY@aol.com . For hotel reservations, please contact Westin Galleria Hotel at 1-888-627-8536.