ATHENS – The prominent Greek-American businessman and philanthropist George Behrakis was honored during the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society (HCS), held under the auspices of the President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos, on June 11, at the Pallas Theatre in Athens.

Behrakis’ contribution enabled the creation of the Laboratory for Lung Function Testing, focusing on respiratory mechanics and the respiratory effects of active and passive smoking.

The HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos spoke about the Society’s contributions and the challenges it faces today in the fight against cancer. In addition, he mentioned the proposal of HCS to ban smoking by law not only in public places and public catering areas, but also in places like beaches.

The award was received on behalf of Mr. George Behrakis, by his cousin, Professor of Pulmonology Dr. Panagiotis K. Behrakis, who said: “On behalf of the George Behrakis Foundation in Boston, with great joy and honor – I feel it is a great honor to receive the honor awarded today. I would like to convey the particular appreciation of George Behrakis for the actions of the HCS, which he follows very closely and make him very proud on the other side of the Atlantic. I would like to convey his statement that he is happy to support the operation of the lab, which has provided free exams for about 8 years daily to people in need. And, in closing, I would like to say that in the fight to reduce smoking George Behrakis has contributed a decade of support with a generous contribution that continues and will continue.”

President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos (C), HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos (R) and SYRIZA PM Nicos Manios at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos (R) and Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

The 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

The 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

Errieta Kourkoulos at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos (R) and SYRIZA PM Nicos Manios at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos (R) and Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

Professor of Pulmonology Dr. Panagiotis K. Behrakis and HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

HCS President Evangelos Filopoulos at the 60th Anniversary of the Hellenic Cancer Society event, Athens, June 11, 2018. (Photo by TNH/Achilleas Kouremenos)

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